Insights · Access Control
Smart Intercoms & Access Control: A ButterflyMX Guide
Keys get copied, lost, and passed around. Smart intercoms and access control replace them with credentials you can grant, track, and revoke from your phone. Here is how the technology works and what a professional installation involves.
· abvolt, Lake Bluff IL
Why buildings are going keyless
A traditional key tells you nothing: not who used it, when, or how many copies exist. Modern access control replaces keys with mobile credentials, PIN codes, and fobs managed from a dashboard. When a tenant moves out or a contractor finishes a job, access ends with one tap instead of a locksmith visit. For multi-unit owners, that alone often pays for the system.
What a smart intercom actually does
A video intercom like ButterflyMX puts a camera, directory, and touchscreen at your entrance. Visitors dial a unit, the resident sees them on their phone from anywhere, and opens the door remotely. Deliveries get time-limited PINs. Every entry is logged with a photo, giving owners a record of exactly who came through the door and when.
ButterflyMX and Doorbill: how we deploy them
abvolt installs ButterflyMX video intercoms at building entrances and pairs them with Doorbill, our strategic partner for unit-level access and property management. Doorbill gives tenants Bluetooth keyless entry at their own door and gives managers real-time control, with rent collection built into the same app. Together they cover the full path from street to sofa.
What installation involves
Entrance intercoms need power, a network connection, and often a powered strike or maglock on the door, which is licensed electrical work. Unit doors usually need no wiring at all: battery-powered smart locks install on the existing deadbolt cutout. A typical building is fully converted in days, not weeks, with no disruption to tenants.
What it costs
Pricing depends on the number of entrances and units. Single-family smart lock and doorbell packages start modestly; multi-unit intercom systems scale with door hardware. For rental properties, Doorbill's partnership model can significantly reduce upfront cost. Call (224) 369-8752 for a free on-site assessment.
Frequently asked questions
Do smart locks work in a power outage?
Yes. The locks we install are battery powered and open by Bluetooth, code, or a physical backup key. They do not depend on your building's power or Wi-Fi.
Can this be added to an older building?
Almost always. Most unit doors need no wiring, and abvolt is a licensed electrical contractor for the entrance hardware that does.
Is there a monthly fee?
Intercom and access platforms carry a software subscription, typically billed per unit for buildings. We walk you through exact numbers before you commit.
Ready to talk it through?
Free consultation with a North Shore specialist. Licensed, insured, ICC certified.
Call (224) 369-8752 →