Property managers or owners often manage multiple properties across a portfolio. With numerous tasks lined up, they need tools or systems to make management easier or more seamless. Here’s how deploying an SIP intercom system can help.
An SIP intercom system is a type of wireless IP intercom that can be easily integrated into a property with existing VoIP systems, such as desk phones. It can also work without Internet connectivity as long as a Local Area Network is available, and property managers and owners don’t have to worry about monthly software subscription fees.
With nearly a decade of support for thousands of property managers and owners across the country, Swiftlane can help property administrators understand SIP intercom systems, their workflows, and the best intercom deployment solutions.
Key Takeaways
- An SIP intercom is a type of wireless IP intercom system that uses the Session Initiation Protocol as a communication standard.
- Top SIP intercom options include 2N and Fanvil, which offer broad compatibility and integrations with other SIP systems, as well as audio-video calling and mobile support.
- Consider a cloud-based intercom system for better scalability, smoother deployments, and mobile-first operations, compared to SIP-based intercoms.
Table of Contents: Quick Navigation
- What is an SIP Intercom System?
- How an SIP Intercom Works
- Top Options of SIP Intercom Systems
- Cloud-Based Intercoms vs SIP Intercoms
- Best Alternative to SIP Intercom
What is an SIP Intercom System?
An SIP intercom system is a specific type of intercom that uses Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) as its communication standard. SIP is an open signaling protocol that allows initiation, management, and termination of real-time communication sessions.
For more information about SIP, see the Internet Engineering Task Force’s RFC 3261.
An SIP intercom usually consists of a main intercom device at a building entrance, connected to the Internet via Ethernet or Wi-Fi.
It also requires a Private Branch Exchange (PBX), which acts as the system’s brain and can be hosted on an on-premises server, a PBX appliance, or a cloud PBX. With SIP and cloud-based intercoms becoming more popular, residents receive calls on VoIP phones, video IP phones, softphone applications, or mobile applications instead of an in-unit system.
Benefits
- Integration-Ready. Because of its communication protocol, an SIP intercom system integrates easily with other third-party VoIP systems, such as VoIP deskphones or VoIP softphones
- Offline Capabilities. SIP intercoms can work without Internet connectivity as long as they connect to a Local Area Network.
- No Recurring Subscription Fees. With an on-premise PBX hardware, property managers or owners are not charged with monthly per-door or per-user software subscription fees.
Limitations
- Deep IT Expertise Required. Because of its communication protocol, an SIP intercom also requires SIP, networking, and PBX administration knowledge for installation and daily operations.
- Extra Upfront Costs. Because SIP intercoms need PBXs, property administrators need to budget to purchase PBX hardware or to subscribe to an online PBX service.
- No Out-of-the-Box Portal. Managing SIP intercoms requires configuring the PBX, and to configure the PBX remotely, a VPN or remote access setup is required.
How an SIP Intercom Works
- A visitor approaches the SIP intercom and presses the call button for a resident, sending an SIP INVITE request to the PBX.
- The PBX determines who should receive the call and rings their phone.
- The resident picks up the call, verifies the visitor’s identity, and sends a DTMF tone (usually # or *) through the active call.
- The tone signals the door locks to open, granting access to the visitor.
- The resident ends the call, sending an SIP BYE message to the PBX to close the call session.
Top SIP Intercom System Options
2N
2N is a leading wireless intercom manufacturer with SIP intercoms. Its lineup is built on open SIP standards, making it compatible with virtually every major PBX platform on the market — from Asterisk and FreePBX to 3CX and Cisco UCM.
Features
- Modular design for additional modules that extend the intercom’s functionality
- Video + audio calling
- IP65 (weather resistance) and IK08 (vandal resistance) ratings
- Support for mobile credentials
- ONVIF (Open Network Video Interface Forum) compatibility for VMS (Video Management Software) and NVR (Network Video Recorders)
Drawbacks
- Premium pricing compared to competitors
- Extra modules add to costs
- Firmware updates occasionally disrupt existing SIP registrations or access rules
Fanvil
Fanvil is a Chinese intercom manufacturer, with audio-only to video-enabled intercom options. However, instead of offering its own proprietary dedicated PBX server, Fanvil partners with PBX providers such as PortSIP, 3CX, and others.
Features
- Compact form factor of intercom selection
- Built-in RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) reader for card-based access
- Wiegand compatibility for third-party access control readers
- Compatibility for major PBX platforms: FreePBX, Asterisk, 3CX, and Grandstream UCM
- Lowest entry cost compared to other leading intercom manufacturers
Drawbacks
- Lower-grade materials as a tradeoff for lower hardware costs
- IK07 impact resistance rating on some units, lower than the competitors’ IK08-IK10 range
- Low audio and video quality and occasional high latency
Cloud-Based Intercoms vs SIP Intercoms
The closest point of comparison of an SIP intercom is a cloud-based intercom. Both types of wireless IP intercoms can connect to the Internet. However, they differ in how they facilitate communication, the hardware they require, and their long-term pricing.
Best Alternative to SIP Intercom
Swiftlane offers end-to-end intercom solutions at bundled pricing for better affordability without compromising the quality of its products and services. Its cloud-based video intercom systems are highly scalable across multiple locations and centrally managed through the property manager’s web dashboard or mobile application.
Features
- Stable peer-to-peer video calling from intercom device to resident smartphone
- Mobile-first design for plug-and-play deployments
- Intercom offerings suitable for small to large-scale properties
- All-in-one pricing scheme for affordability and predictability
- High-grade intercom materials with IP65 and IK10 ratings
- High audio and video quality with low latency through Power over Ethernet connectivity
- Remote software updates by the technical support team
SIP intercom systems are viable wireless IP intercom choices for VoIP integration and subscription-free operations. Examples such as 2N and Fanvil offer great capabilities, yet SIP intercom deployments usually favor properties with existing VoIP infrastructure, such as deskphones and softphones.
Overall costs fall when in-unit VoIP devices already exist, but property managers or owners of new construction still have to pay for all other hardware, such as the PBX, resident phones, LAN connections, and so on.
For properties without existing infrastructure, cloud-based intercoms are more cost-effective, easier to install, and faster to deploy due to their plug-and-play deployment method. Still highly scalable with built-in centralized management, cloud intercoms result in more reasonable long-term costs.
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