What are the main types of access control credentials?

The common commercial credentials are key fobs and access cards (familiar and easy to revoke), keypad PIN codes (cheap but shareable), mobile credentials that turn a smartphone into the key (issued and revoked remotely in seconds), and biometrics like fingerprint or facial recognition for high-security areas. Many businesses combine several.

What is the difference between cloud and on-premise access control?

On-premise (networked) systems manage multiple doors from a central controller and software located in your building, giving full local control. Cloud-managed systems handle doors through a web portal from anywhere, which suits multi-location businesses and remote administration. Standalone single-door units are a third, non-scaling option for one sensitive room.

Are mobile credentials better than key cards?

Mobile credentials have real advantages: people rarely lose or forget their phone, credentials are issued and revoked remotely in seconds, and there are no cards to purchase. Key cards remain a solid, familiar choice, especially with modern high-security formats. The best fit depends on your workforce, door count, and how you prefer to manage access.

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Video Intercom Systems for Michigan Multi-Tenant Buildings

By Michigan Security Systems · July 2026 · 6 min read

For Michigan apartment buildings, condos, and multi-tenant commercial properties, the front entrance is a daily challenge: how do residents and staff see who's at the door and let them in — especially deliveries and guests — without a doorman or a wall of buzzers? Modern video intercom systems solve this by routing entry calls to a smartphone. Here's what to know.

How Modern Video Intercoms Work

Instead of ringing a fixed unit inside an apartment, today's video intercom systems place a camera-and-touchscreen panel at the entrance. When a visitor calls, the video call routes to the resident's phone — they see and speak to the visitor and unlock the door remotely, whether they're home, at work, or away. That's a fundamental upgrade over legacy buzzer systems for multi-tenant buildings.

Why Multi-Tenant Buildings Are Upgrading

Deliveries and guests — residents grant access from anywhere, so packages and visitors aren't stuck at a locked door.
No landlines or in-unit hardware — cloud-connected panels remove the wiring and maintenance of old systems.
A real entry record — property managers get a log of who was buzzed in and when.
Package management — some systems add camera-monitored package rooms, addressing porch and lobby theft.
Fits property management — portals let managers handle resident directories, credentials, and access logs across the building.

Integrating Intercom With Access Control

The best results come from treating the intercom as part of a whole access system, not a standalone gadget. When the entrance intercom, interior door access, and even elevator control work together, residents and staff get one seamless experience and managers get one system to run. We integrate video intercoms with door access hardware so the front door, common areas, and units all connect.

Getting It Right for Your Property

Every building is different — unit count, entrances, existing wiring, and how residents expect to manage access all shape the right solution. Michigan Security Systems designs and installs video intercom and access systems for multi-tenant properties across Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana, with our own licensed technicians. Call 586-466-4490 or request a free site assessment. See also our commercial video intercom guide.