Entire Property Control

It doesn’t do much good to secure one area of a property if you don’t secure them all. That’s a little bit like locking your windows but leaving the front door wide open. However, by using the KeyCom®, you’ll be certain the entire property is connected and protected. This system fully monitors a building’s activities and features by:

• Managing all activities in and around a building, including package deliveries.
• Monitoring visitor and guest access.
• Managing any service requests, and facilitating communication between building staff and residents. 

Video Access Control

MVI’s KeyCom® video-intercom technology allows users to clearly see and control who has access to the building. Gone are the days of voice-only buzzer intercom systems. Those didn’t allow you to see who was at the door, and their sound quality left a lot to be desired. MVI System’s KeyCom® is a vast improvement, providing live video and top-notch audio quality that you can access conveniently from your smart phone. 

Seamless Communication

While security is of paramount importance, this system goes far beyond that. MVI’s platform also simplifies communication. Now, property managers and owners can notify all of their residents any time there are building updates with the press of a button! Just go to the management portal and select “Create New Notice.”

State-of-the-Art Technology

The KeyCom® was created using state-of-the-art technology. This security system has the latest in facial recognition and artificial intelligence software built into a smart automatic video intercom system that can be accessed remotely from anywhere you are. That means neither staff nor residents need to be in the building to use it! For example, If a package is being delivered, postal carriers can simply use the security system to gain entry to the mailroom, drop off the package, and the correct resident will be notified that it has arrived. Likewise, if a resident has unexpected company stop by at an inopportune time, they can tell them it’s not a good time and deny access. 

Today’s property owners, managers, and residents all appreciate having an easy-to-use video intercom security entry system. With MVI’s KeyCom®, they know they have the protection needed to be safe. Contact us today to learn more about this revolutionary system!

The post A User-Friendly Intercom System for All: Why the KeyCom® is the Best Choice appeared first on MVI Systems.

What is a keyless entry system?

Keyless building entry systems are electronic access control systems that allow authorized users to access the building’s entryways without a traditional key. They can use methods as simple as a pin code, key fob, or key card, but some use higher-end tech like a mobile app, fingerprint or voice access, or facial recognition software. Keyless entry systems are also more aesthetically pleasing than conventional lock-and-key setups. According to Construction Dive, 86% of millennial owners and renters are willing to pay more for a “smart unit” equipped with automated or remote-controlled devices like keyless entry.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits of a keyless door entry system:

1. Convenience

With keyless entry systems for apartments, gone are the days of trying to find your key ring at the bottom of your packed purse or loaded backpack. Keyless smart access technologies available from MVI Systems provide convenient, safe access solutions for multifamily communities. Using a video intercom, mobile access, and visitor PINs, residents and management can manage all the activities and functions of a building from anywhere.

Check out how it works.

2. Security

In addition to their undeniable convenience, keyless building entry systems like MVI’s KeyCom® are designed to keep residents safe. They’re harder to get past than traditional key locks. In addition, they can restrict or grant access on a person-by-person basis. The KeyCom® includes state-of-the-art facial recognition and artificial intelligence software, offering enhanced security for any residential or commercial building.

3. Cost Savings

These systems can save property managers money by not having to pay for a front desk person or door guard. It also eliminates the need for extra keys, making it easier to manage access and reducing the risk of lost or stolen keys.

4. Improved Aesthetic and Perceived Value

Keyless entry systems represent a significant value-added feature to building residents. The same Construction Dive report referenced earlier indicates 61% of millennials are likely to pay more for an apartment specifically because of electronic access features. In a survey of Wakefield Research using a sample of 1,000 renters in the US, a full 45% said they feel that physical door keys will be obsolete by 2026. In addition, 63% indicated they would move out of a building due to a lack of security.

Forward-thinking developers and property managers would be wise to consider carefully researched, developed, and tested keyless entry systems. They provide convenience, security, potential cost savings, and wide appeal to one of the largest markets in the rental sector. To learn more about the world’s smartest video access system, visit MVI Systems and request a quote today!

MVI Systems is a software development company whose innovative team of designers and engineers have created a revolutionary product for the residential multifamily building market: the patented KeyCom® Smart Video Door Kiosk and Software Platform. KeyCom® relies on a touchscreen monitor and smartphone apps to enable residents to interact with guests and visitors with touchless Bluetooth entry and digital keys, creating a user-friendly occupant experience and offering a more secure means for accessing properties. Unlike other video door systems, KeyCom® entry technology recognizes residents as they approach the system based on Bluetooth proximity-— enabling them to enter the building automatically in a matter of seconds.

The post Benefits of a Keyless Door Entry System appeared first on MVI Systems.

History of the Doorman

Doormen are also known as “porters” or “doorkeepers.” They’ve  been used from as far back as 200 BCE. In The United States, they are most often found in larger cities like Washington DC, Los Angeles, and New York City. 

It’s often said, “A good doorman sees everything and says nothing.” These men and women hold open doors for everyone coming and going; they bear witness to whatever happens in and around their buildings, and yet live by a motto of keeping mum about all of it. 

Pros of Living in a Doorman Building

By always having a staff member on-site, the safety of a doorman building increases. Would-be criminals see someone guarding the entrance and walk away. The doorman is also able to screen visitors entering the building. This means residents won’t have unwanted company arriving at their doorstep uninvited.

Other potential pros include:

• Doormen help residents and their guests by carrying luggage and groceries.
• Concierge Services: An all-inclusive style building may have a concierge who acts as a service coordinator. Some days they might perform the duties of a doorman. Other days they may be making dinner reservations or arranging for limo services.

• Socialization: A doorman’s smile and friendly, “Hello,” can start you off on a happy note.
• Community Events: Much like a concierge, a doorman will be able to keep residents apprised of what’s going on in the building and nearby in the neighborhood too.

Cons of Living in a Doorman Building

While there are many benefits to living in a building with a doorman there are also a few drawbacks. The most obvious is likely to be the cost. These buildings tend to be considered luxury-level and charge residents a higher rent to off-set the cost of having someone attend the building’s entrance. 

Other potential drawbacks may include:

• Sometimes a doorman will block family members or friends from entering the building.
• Limited Privacy: Doormen can be the ultimate “busy-bodies.” They overhear many conversations, and you can bet they know all about exactly what’s going on in unit 2-C…
• This job has a high turnover rate, you won’t always know who that person is or what background checks they’ve gone through in order to get the job. 
• Inconsistent Service: Since no single person works 24 hours a day, a building may only have a doorman on duty during the busiest hours. On the other hand, they may have more than one doorman who rotates. While some may be fantastic, others may not be as competent. 

Another problem that can occur in doorman buildings is an increase in noise. This can be especially noticeable if your unit is on the ground floor. In buildings that aren’t manned, people tend to come and go quietly. However, in a doorman building, someone’s always striking up a conversation with whoever is standing vigil.

Factors To Consider

When deciding if you want to live in or manage a building with a doorman there are many factors for you to take into account. 

• Location: Doorman buildings tend to only be available in larger cities.
• Building Amenities: Even in a building offering these services, they might not be provided 24 hours a day. The building might be better served by reallocating those financial resources and providing other services and amenities.
• Building size: Doorman buildings tend to be larger, and not everybody likes living in such a highly populated place. Those types of apartment buildings may also be more challenging to manage.
• Type of Staff: What duties do the doormen perform and what other staff members are available? Some apartment complexes might be better served by offering housekeeping services in lieu of someone at the entrance. 
• Building Policies and Rules: Some of these buildings with doormen are older and the atmosphere might be stuffy, They could have some older outdated rules or policies in place. If that’s the case, younger residents might not be as happy, and property managers might have a harder time with so many rules to enforce.  

Building Security Options Available

While doorman buildings are status symbols of luxury, they’re also expensive. Recently renters have found themselves having to live on tighter budgets. As the price of rent has increased, residents are now less likely to be willing to pay for services such as this.  

However, a building’s security and the ability to have packages delivered properly are still extremely important!

Thankfully there are alternatives to doorman buildings. Electronic security systems allow you to see who’s coming and going. Access can be granted or denied remotely using a mobile device. This technology also allows package deliveries to be easily tracked, and residents can be quickly notified when their orders’ have arrived.

MVI Systems can show you how a mobile security system can be installed to benefit your building. Contact us today!

The post Doorman Buildings – Pros & Cons for Residents appeared first on MVI Systems.

Challenges of Package Delivery in Apartments

Sadly, there are challenges in ensuring that a package reaches somebody living in an apartment building. Sometimes, it’s a simple matter of it being difficult for the postal delivery person to find the correct building or knowing where they’re actually supposed to leave the package. Many of us have had things delivered to us that were addressed to our neighbors, and many of us have been the neighbor in that situation.

Even if the package is delivered to the correct address, there are still factors to contend with. Depending on the apartment building, there are rules for where to leave packages—at the door, on a table in the lobby, or in a designated mailbox. That doesn’t mean those rules will always be followed.

We also have to take into account the occasional delivery worker who simply leaves packages outside of the building altogether. Maybe they hide them behind a nearby bush or simply prop them against the door. When this happens, packages are at risk of being stolen or damaged by the elements should bad weather come knocking.

There are also difficulties to consider around scheduling. If someone needs to sign for a package but isn’t home, they could play delivery tag with the mailman for several days. Ideally, noted delivery windows should be followed, but they can be ignored.

The Solution

Thankfully, with the MVI KeyCom®, these problems are nonexistent or easily solvable. Thanks to the ability to set up secure locations for drop-off packages, residents need not worry about losing their deliveries.

Our Smart Video Door Platform has a state-of-the-art touchscreen that’s easy to use, for both residents and delivery workers.

When it comes to package delivery, our system and its key features provide residents with the ability:

• To know who’s right outside their door.
• To get an instant notification about any delivery into our Package Room Solution.
• To keep track of packages received, but not yet retrieved.
• To Communicate! Just by using the app on their phone, they can see and talk to the person dropping off their package.
• To see if a package has been delivered.
• To keep an eye on packages throughout the day.

With an MVI Video Security System in place, residents can be confident that their package will be safe!

Contact us today to learn more about our products and package room solutions!

The post How to Get Packages Delivered to Your Apartment appeared first on MVI Systems.

Resident satisfaction is what a flourishing multi-family property business is built on. Keeping your residents satisfied depends on knowing what they are looking for in a property so you can make every effort to deliver it.

The following three strategies are some of the most effective ways to boost multi-family resident satisfaction and retention.

Keep Amenities Updated

Large outdoor living spaces extend your tenants’ living space and provide comfortable places for entertaining or lounging. A rooftop deck (maybe even with an outdoor theatre or fire pit?) fits right in with the “moving outdoors” trend that young, single tenants and families are looking for, especially in urban areas. A 24-hour fitness center with virtual yoga, spin, and Zumba instructors is attractive to residents with flexible or unusual schedules. Conference rooms and office spaces, while more traditional amenities, are still attractive add-ons for existing and would-be residents.

Staying on top of trends like these and adding them to your multi-family property will help you stand out from the competition and deliver the type of unique and attractive living experience that can only increase resident satisfaction.

Invest in High-end Resident Safety and Security

According to the most recent Apartment Resident Preference Report, today’s residents are demanding that their homes have the best safety and security features on the market. They want products like MVI’s KeyCom® Smart Video Kiosk and Software Platform, a smart entry system designed specifically for multi-family building managers, residents, visitors, delivery staff, and maintenance workers. But the KeyCom® does much more than just get residents through the front door. Far more than a video intercom system, the KeyCom® kiosk allows:

• Residents to receive and retrieve video and voice calls, send and receive text messages, grant access to the building, and manage their accounts using a smartphone or MVI’s Web Portal. 
• Visitors to use the KeyCom® touchscreen to scroll through the building directory, select an apartment, and either video chat with the resident or leave a video voicemail when they are unavailable.
• Delivery staff can access the building via the KeyCom touchscreen and deliver packages to a secured package location. No more lost or undeliverable packages!
• Maintenance workers can be granted access to the building via the KeyCom® touchscreen at any time, without the need to constantly require the superintendent.
• Owners and property managers can use the Web Portal to update tenant records and send building-wide announcements. Management can request detailed reports on events and access that have occurred in the building at any time.

Bottom line? Your residents want apartments with increased security. Slightly more than 61% say they are likely to rent an apartment specifically because of its electronic-access features, including keyless entry doors, and 55% are likely to pay more for an apartment that uses a “smart entry system.”  In fact, installing a smart entry system like MVI’s KeyCom® could be one of the most effective things you can do to improve customer satisfaction at your multi-family property.

Stay on Top of Maintenance and Repairs

A survey of 10,000 multi-family property residents by J Turner Research revealed that the top three complaints they had involved maintenance and repairs. There’s never a good time for an HVAC system to break or a water heater to go on the blink, so forward-thinking owner/operators of multi-family properties know that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Turner’s study showed a 20% increase in resident satisfaction properties where preventative maintenance was done on major systems and appliances

Providing sought-after amenities, offering a leading-edge smart entry system, and developing a culture of service in your multi-family property are the keys to building resident satisfaction and long-term value. 

The post Multi-family Properties: 3 Strategies for Boosting Resident Satisfaction appeared first on MVI Systems.

An effective visitor management system enhances the security of your shared building by providing a high-level overview of all types of visitors and giving them different levels of access. Our smart video entry systems use state-of-the-art technology to automate the tasks of traditional visitor management systems, delivering a contactless check-in experience that can more accurately and efficiently handle more visitors.

KeyCom® is MVI’s state-of-the-art apartment building video intercom system. Securely operated on an intuitive web platform, KeyCom® allows you to control your building’s activities and features. With leading-edge facial recognition, artificial intelligence software, and touch-free access, KeyCom® is designed to keep your residents, tenants, and visitors safe.

MVI’s innovative team of designers and engineers have integrated increasingly sophisticated technology to their smart video door systems. These improvements have enhanced the functionality of these building entry systems, further upgrading the experience for residents, visitors, delivery personnel, maintenance, and management.

Residents 

Residents of multi-family buildings use either their smartphones or MVI’s Web Portal to grant access to the building, send digital visitor keys, receive video and voice calls, send and receive text messages, retrieve video and voicemails and manage their accounts.

Visitors

Visitors use MVI’s KeyCom® touchscreen to scroll through the directory of the multi-tenant building to make a selection using the apartment or office number, tenant or family name, or any image uploaded to the multi-tenant video intercom system by the resident or tenant. Visitors are able to video-chat with residents or tenants or leave a video voicemail using the video intercom system.

Delivery

An access control system like the MVI KeyCom® directs delivery staff to an apartment or office building’s secured package room. Drivers use a touchscreen on the building entry system to access the secure package room, greatly reducing the number of lost or undelivered packages. 

Maintenance

Repair and maintenance workers can be granted access to the building via the KeyCom® touchscreen in advance, making it unnecessary for them to be in constant contact with the superintendent while on the premises. 

Management

MVI’s video intercom system for apartment buildings allows managers to update tenant records and send residents messages, notifications, and schedules of upcoming events through the system’s Web Portal. Building owners and property managers have access to detailed building access events and reports.

An increasing number of shared buildings and multi-family properties are updating their approach to visitor management with leading-edge building entry systems like MVI’s KeyCom®. Ease, convenience, and thoroughness of access control matters to tenants, residents, and visitors. Getting ahead of the curve with a state-of-the-art, user-friendly video intercom building entry system like MVI’s KeyCom® will save you money, improve efficiency, and keep your residents, visitors, and staff happy!

The post How to Control Visitor Access to Shared Buildings appeared first on MVI Systems.

From Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, when tenants are likely to be busiest, more guests are coming and going, and the number of deliveries to the building skyrockets, MVI’s KeyCom® system helps apartment buildings stay safer and more secure by:

1. Monitoring Guest Access

There are dozens of reasons to get together over the holidays, and that means a steady stream of visitors—many of them first-timers—coming in and out of your building. MVI’s KeyCom® allows guests to scroll through the building’s directory, select an apartment number, name, or icon, and request access to the building from the resident they intend to visit via video chat. 

2. Managing Package Delivery

Starting the week of December 10th, the USPS expects to deliver 200 million packages before Christmas Day—that’s a jump of 33% over last year. As e-commerce sales continue to climb, KeyCom’s® ability to deter package pirates, those thieves who take advantage of unattended packages sitting in hallways, lobbies, and foyers, becomes all-important. With our Package Room Solution, delivery drivers and couriers simply access the building using the touchscreen and deliver the parcels to a secure package location for later pick-up by residents. No more lost or undeliverable packages!

3. Maximizing Resident Communication

The holidays bring with them a variety of situations that probably aren’t at play as often throughout the rest of the year: things like maximum occupancy limits, adherence to fire codes for indoor and outdoor décor, and the use of appliances like deep fryers that come out once a year to cook the turkey for a holiday meal. Savvy apartment managers use KeyCom’s® web portal to send building-wide messages to all residents, reminding them of the importance of adhering to holiday safety codes.

4. Maximizing Communication with Maintenance

Inclement weather and colder temperatures that often come with holiday time can cause frozen pipes, slippery sidewalks, and damage to roofs and gutters. Apartment managers can use the KeyCom’s® web portal to instruct maintenance staff to make sure that all their building’s safety equipment, from fire extinguishers to carbon monoxide detectors, is in good working order. This busy time of the year is also bound to bring with it more maintenance requests, including emergency work orders that need to be dealt with immediately for safety reasons. Again, apartment managers can use KeyCom® to communicate these requests to their maintenance staff and manage their status to ensure that the complex stays safe and secure.

While residents may be aware of an apartment complex’s emergency plan, visitors or partygoers who are in the building for the first time likely do not. Take a few minutes to post a notice pointing out additional emergency exit signage. List essential phone numbers, including ways to contact property management in case of crisis no matter what time it is.

If it’s time to upgrade your apartment complex’s security strategy in 2023, request a demo from MVI to learn about some of the best options on the market. MVI is an industry leader in enhanced security for apartment building security year-round, and its state-of-the-art ability to audit door events, monitor package delivery, track and resolve maintenance requests and make communication effortless among residents and staff is especially valuable during the holidays when traffic skyrockets. Equipping a building or complex with MVI’s KeyCom® provides the best apartment security available and lets residents know that management values their security—24/7, 365 days a year.

The post 4 Ways MVI Can Help Keep Your Building Secure During the Holidays appeared first on MVI Systems.

When a system is managed by the reception staff of your apartment complex, there is an instant boost of security. That’s peace of mind you can’t put a price tag on. Here are the benefits of a video intercom system and why MVI is the right choice for you.

Convenience

You want to communicate clearly with whoever is on screen. Our KeyCom® line of products allows you to quickly and easily see visitors, give entrance access remotely, and instantly chat with the person at the door. That’s convenience and safety you can count on.

Access Control

For those who manage buildings, you need to monitor the comings and goings of everyone––it’s a lot to keep track of, isn’t it? In addition to monitoring entrance points, another perk of MVI’s family of products is that we can help you create a secure Package Room solution. No more notes on residents’ doors, missed deliveries, or rogue packages. Only those who should be entering have access––period.

Simple Communication

The beauty of a cloudbased video system is that even from a smartphone, you can communicate with whoever is at your door, no matter where you are. You can grant access or quickly send them on their way: a convenience we all want to rely on.

Deter Possible Problems

Video monitoring can keep possible problems from becoming emergencies. When someone who may be a threat sees your video system, the last thing they want is to be on camera. When paired with other security measures, breaking in becomes more of a hassle than it’s worth, and that just might be what saves your life.

Around the Clock Safety

It’s one thing to have unrestricted access at entry points to an apartment complex during the day, but what about at night? Video intercom systems allow residents and their guests to gain access when doors are locked. Security can easily be reached through the intercom if after-hours visitors need assistance.

MVI Systems keeps up with the latest trends in access control systems, constantly improving technologies and integrations that allow building owners and property managers to enjoy streamlined, convenient security options. Contact us today for a FREE demo, and let us walk you through the world’s smartest video access system.

The post Benefits of a Video Intercom System appeared first on MVI Systems.

Fraud by the Numbers

Tenant fraud has always existed. When con artists have a will, they’ll find a way. The pandemic, eviction moratoriums, and mountains of sophisticated scam techniques have pushed the issue to the forefront for property managers and landlords. In numbers posted by the National Apartment Association, between March 2020 and August 2020, fraud jumped close to 30 percent. High-risk applications spiked 15.2 percent compared to 10.3 percent just a year earlier. Those numbers tell the story of present times as well: we are in a season of multi-family tenant fraud. 

Types of Fraud

Property managers may recognize some of these scammer strategies:

• An applicant poses as someone else, providing false information when the real person has a history of poor credit.
• Creating a false identity.
• A potential resident’s identity is authentic, yet some details have been tweaked. 
• A tenant makes a little cash on the side by offering their location as a temporary rental, which breaks their lease agreement. 

So, how do you combat this? 

Make a Plan

Know your renters are who they say they are. It goes beyond business concerns. There is an ethical obligation for the security and safety of everyone in the building. So, what plans should you put into place?

• Invest in tech that helps screen applications seamlessly and thoroughly.
• Make full, legal names mandatory on all applications.
• Scrutinize all credit ratings and fraud alerts.
• Check and double-check references and information.

Sneaky Subletters

Multi-family properties should have smart, simplified security 24/7. Tenants who break the rules of their lease by subletting their space to others can go unnoticed by management, who already have a lot on their plates. Controlling a building’s activities with an intuitive web platform, including a state-of-the-art video intercom system, is the perfect solution.

MVI Systems’ KeyComⓇ is designed to keep residents safe and features cutting-edge facial recognition and artificial intelligence software. Our products ensure that your residents are indeed your residents with enhanced features, like:

• Interactive touchscreen technology
• Building activity monitoring
• Security and convenience at your fingertips
• State-of-the-art digital video entry
• Automatic building access via smartphone

Landlords and property managers can monitor and facilitate their buildings’ access for residents and visitors with MVI Systems’ unsurpassed technology. The demand for intercom systems to be high-end and maintain functionality fuels MVI’s innovative designers and engineers. From effortless communication to enhanced security, our complete line of products allows control of all building activities. Protect your residents from the ones trying to take advantage by manipulating their tenant identity information. 

Let MVI Shape Your Tenant Security 

MVI, an award-winning video-access control solution for commercial and multi-family properties, streamlines video access control solutions and innovative technologies to provide the highest level of security for buildings. MVI works with several hardware and software manufacturers to increase safety, improve the tenant experience, and give control back to building owners and property managers.Is it time to upgrade your apartment building’s video intercom system? Request a free, no-obligation demo and see why residents and managers love MVI technology.

The post Eliminating Tenant Fraud appeared first on MVI Systems.

1. Decreased Liability

By having an automated system provide access control to your buildings, you decrease your liability if an incident does occur. You also increase the chances that a bad actor will be caught by law enforcement when your system allows recorded surveillance records from your entrances.

2. Reduced Theft and Vandalism

Video intercom systems deter theft and vandalism by making it more difficult for criminals to break in or damage the property undetected. Having these systems installed will most likely result in a would-be burglar moving on to a different, unprotected location.

3. Decreased Need for Security Personnel

Buildings without a controlled access system often find themselves paying for security services. Having an updated system monitoring parking lots and entrances means a lesser reliance on security personnel, which will ultimately save the property owners and managers money.

4. Perceived Safety

A building that feels safe is a welcoming space for tenants and building occupants, and nothing provides that sense of security like an access control system. Tenants will actively search for properties that provide updated security features, choosing them over properties that don’t. They’re often willing to pay more to lease these properties.

5. Ease of Use Will Attract More Residents and Tenants

A security system is only as good as the platform that fuels it. The days of struggling for keys, replacing lost keys, and having to change locks after residents move out are long gone thanks to upgraded security technologies. For MVI clients and customers, access control is at the tip of their fingers…literally. MVI’s patented KeyComⓇ solutions offer touch-free building access through the technology that everyone has in their pockets already; their smart device.

To see how our solutions will enhance occupant safety, automate your access control, and increase your property value, book a free demo today.

The post How a Video Intercom System Increases Property Value appeared first on MVI Systems.