If you manage a building, run an office, or own a home, your entry system is one of the most important—and most overlooked—parts of your security setup. It’s the first place visitors interact with your property, the first point where unauthorized entry can happen, and the system your tenants or staff rely on daily for deliveries, guests, and service providers. When the intercom is outdated or unreliable, people develop risky habits: buzzing in blindly, propping doors open, or ignoring calls altogether.
That’s where aiphone video intercom installation and upgrade projects make a real difference. A properly installed Aiphone video intercom helps you verify visitors visually, communicate clearly, and control entry with a system built for high-traffic use. Upgrading also improves convenience—especially in properties where deliveries are constant and staff can’t always run to the door.
This guide explains what makes Aiphone systems a popular choice, how installation and upgrades typically work, what you should plan before starting, how professionals avoid common failure points, and how to keep your system reliable long after installation. It’s written to align with Google’s E-E-A-T expectations by focusing on practical, trustworthy information that property owners and managers can actually use.
Aiphone is widely used in residential and commercial properties because it’s known for reliability and clear communication in real-world conditions. But the biggest reason owners upgrade to video intercoms isn’t just technology—it’s behavior.
When residents and staff can see who’s at the door, they:
buzz in fewer unknown visitors
handle deliveries with more confidence
reduce tailgating risk (because entry becomes more intentional)
feel safer using the entrance
Video verification changes how people use the system. That’s the real upgrade.
A modern aiphone video intercom installation and upgrade can be especially valuable for:
apartment buildings and multi-tenant properties
co-ops and condos
offices and professional buildings
mixed-use properties with separate entrances
retail businesses with staff-only entry
homes that want stronger front-door screening
Sometimes a repair is enough. But if you see these patterns repeatedly, an upgrade may be the smarter investment:
Old systems often suffer from weak audio, street noise interference, and failing components.
This usually becomes a cycle of service calls. Often the issue is power, door alignment, or worn release hardware—not just the intercom panel.
If deliveries are constant and residents can’t verify who’s at the door, packages get missed or left outside. Video intercoms improve the delivery process immediately.
If updating tenants is painful, it won’t happen. That leads to confusion and security workarounds.
Older intercoms often reach a point where repairs become slow and expensive due to limited parts availability.
A video intercom system generally includes:
Door station (with camera, microphone, speaker, call buttons or keypad)
Indoor stations (monitors or audio/video units in apartments or offices)
Power supply (sometimes with distribution components)
Wiring infrastructure (existing wiring for retrofits or new cabling)
Door release integration (electric strike, maglock, or electrified hardware)
Optional integrations (access control, cameras, mobile/remote features depending on setup)
The most important point: the intercom is only one part of a working entry system. The wiring, power, and door hardware determine whether it’s reliable day-to-day.
A big part of aiphone video intercom installation and upgrade planning is whether you’re working with an existing system.
A retrofit upgrade means replacing the old intercom equipment while using existing wiring when possible.
Why it’s popular
Less disruption
Faster install
Lower labor cost in many buildings
What must happen
Existing wiring must be tested
Damaged segments must be repaired or replaced
Power requirements must be confirmed
Retrofit works great when wiring is still in decent shape.
New installation means running new wiring/cable infrastructure and installing the system from the ground up.
Why it’s valuable
Most reliable and future-proof
Easier to expand later
Cleaner performance in larger buildings
Trade-off
More labor and disruption
Higher upfront cost
A professional will recommend the right approach based on testing—not guessing.
If you want an Aiphone system to perform like it should, installation needs a structured workflow.
A professional should evaluate:
entrance location and mounting height
lighting conditions (critical for video quality)
existing wiring type and condition
unit count and calling directory needs
door hardware type and door alignment
power availability
additional entrances (rear doors, garage, package room)
how residents or staff will answer (indoor stations, desk stations, etc.)
Good design prevents expensive surprises later.
Depending on retrofit vs new installation:
test wiring continuity and signal
re-terminate weak connections
label wiring for future service
install or replace power supply properly
secure wiring pathways and distribution points
Wiring quality is the invisible foundation of a reliable system.
For video intercoms, placement matters more than people expect.
A professional focuses on:
correct height for face capture
angle that avoids glare and backlighting
weatherproof sealing if outdoors
tamper-resistant mounting when needed
If you can’t clearly see faces, you’re paying for video without getting video benefits.
This is where many installations fail.
A professional verifies:
correct voltage and current delivery
stable power supply under load
door alignment and latch performance
reliable unlock timing
repeated unlock testing
If the door doesn’t close and latch properly, security fails—even with a brand-new intercom.
In multi-tenant buildings or offices:
install and test indoor stations
ensure clear call routing
verify volume and clarity
confirm resident/staff usability
Setup includes:
unit mapping and directory configuration
call routing rules
multi-entrance routing if needed
admin roles and permissions
notification settings if applicable
A system that’s confusing gets bypassed. A system that’s simple gets used.
Professional completion includes:
test calls to multiple units
repeated unlock tests
audio and video checks under real conditions
training for management or office staff
documentation for future updates and troubleshooting
You end up with hats and foreheads instead of faces.
Fix: mount at a practical height and test with real visitors.
Backlight turns visitors into silhouettes.
Fix: evaluate entrance lighting and camera settings before final placement.
Worn strikes or misaligned doors create “unlock failures.”
Fix: check and service the door hardware during the project.
A borderline power supply creates intermittent problems.
Fix: verify power requirements and stability under load.
If management can’t update the directory, the system becomes outdated fast.
Fix: handoff training and clear responsibility plan.
If your current system is:
discontinued
missing parts
producing frequent service calls
failing under high delivery volume
unable to support video verification
…then upgrading is usually the smarter long-term move. You reduce repeated repair costs and improve building workflow.
test call + unlock
check camera clarity and audio volume
confirm resident/staff feedback
inspect door closer and latch alignment
clean camera lens and microphone openings
check for moisture exposure at the entrance
review system performance
update configuration if your building changed (new entrances, tenant turnover)
consider extending coverage to secondary entrances if needed
aiphone video intercom installation and upgrade improves security by adding clear visitor verification and reliable entry control.
The best results come from proper planning: wiring testing, power sizing, door hardware integration, and correct camera placement.
Retrofit upgrades are common in existing buildings, but wiring must be tested to ensure reliability.
Door alignment and lock hardware matter as much as the intercom station.
Training and documentation prevent confusion and reduce future service calls.
Ready to upgrade your entry system?
Click here to visit website and learn more about aiphone video intercom installation and upgrade options.
Want additional details first? Read full article and view options for your building type and entry needs.
Ready to schedule? Check availability and get a free quote for a professional Aiphone video intercom installation or upgrade.