Know who's at your door before you open it — whether you're in the next room or the next city. Modern intercom systems combine HD video, two-way audio, and smartphone connectivity to give you complete control over who enters your property. From simple residential video doorbells to sophisticated multi-tenant apartment systems with access control integration, AR Electronics designs and installs intercom solutions that match your security requirements and budget.
Today's intercom systems go far beyond basic doorbells. A properly designed system provides:
We install intercom systems using various technologies, each suited to different building types and installation requirements.
The gold standard for modern installations, IP intercoms connect to your network and offer the most advanced features: HD video, smartphone apps, integration with VMS and access control systems, and unlimited scalability. Ideal for new builds and properties with existing network infrastructure.
Advantages: Best video quality, extensive features, easy integration, future-proof expandability.
Best for: New construction, commercial buildings, multi-tenant properties, tech-forward homes.
Designed for retrofit installations, 2-wire systems deliver video intercom functionality over existing wiring — eliminating the need for expensive rewiring. Modern 2-wire systems offer HD video, mobile app connectivity, and feature sets approaching IP systems.
Advantages: Cost-effective retrofits, works with existing cabling, simplified installation.
Best for: Older buildings, renovations, properties where rewiring is impractical.
Sometimes video isn't necessary. Audio-only intercoms provide reliable voice communication at a lower cost, with simpler installation and maintenance. Often used as internal communication systems within buildings or for secondary entry points.
Advantages: Lower cost, simpler installation, reliable operation.
Best for: Internal communication, secondary entrances, budget-conscious installations.
For locations without network connectivity or where wiring is impossible, GSM intercoms use mobile networks to deliver calls directly to your phone. No internet connection or indoor station required — visitors call your mobile number directly.
Advantages: No wiring or internet required, works in remote locations.
Best for: Rural properties, construction sites, gates and perimeter entrances far from buildings.
Intercom requirements vary dramatically depending on property type. We design systems tailored to each application.
For homes, we typically install single or dual door stations (front door and gate) with indoor monitors and smartphone connectivity. Video verification lets you see delivery drivers, visitors, and anyone approaching your home — even when you're at work or on holiday.
Common features: HD video, mobile app, automatic recording, electric lock release for gates.
Multi-tenant buildings require directory systems where visitors can search for and call individual apartments. Residents answer on indoor monitors or smartphones and can unlock the main entrance remotely. Building managers maintain central control over access permissions.
Common features: Searchable directories (up to 10,000+ residents), individual apartment monitors, concierge station integration, lift control.
Office intercoms balance security with visitor flow. Reception can verify and announce visitors, while staff in meeting rooms or at their desks can grant access directly. Integration with access control systems ensures only authorised personnel enter secure areas.
Common features: Reception console, multiple door stations, access control integration, visitor management, call forwarding to desk phones.
Industrial environments demand rugged equipment that withstands harsh conditions. Heavy-duty door stations with anti-vandal construction, wide temperature tolerance, and IP67 weatherproofing ensure reliable operation at loading docks, warehouses, and outdoor entry points.
Common features: Vandal-resistant construction, wide temperature range, loud speakers for noisy environments, integration with gate automation.
We work with globally recognised intercom manufacturers, selecting the right brand and system architecture for each project. All brands we install have established NZ support for parts, software updates, and warranty service.
The company that invented the IP intercom. Czech manufacturer 2N (now part of Axis Communications) produces premium, modular intercoms designed for commercial and high-end residential applications. The IP Verso system allows complete customisation — combine camera modules, keypads, RFID readers, fingerprint scanners, and Bluetooth access in configurations that exactly match your requirements.
Key products: IP Verso (modular), IP Force (heavy-duty), IP Solo (compact residential), LTE Verso (mobile network)
Key strengths: Modular design, premium build quality, extensive integration (200+ third-party systems), WaveKey mobile access, My2N cloud platform.
Best for: Commercial buildings, offices, high-end residential, projects requiring extensive integration.
Japanese manufacturer Aiphone has been producing intercoms since 1948 and was the first intercom maker to receive ISO 9001 certification. Known for exceptional build quality and reliability, Aiphone offers systems from simple residential door answering through to sophisticated IP networks supporting thousands of stations.
Key products: IX/IXG Series (IP commercial), JP Series (residential/SMB), GT Series (multi-tenant)
Key strengths: Deming Prize winner for manufacturing quality, 3-year warranty, extensive product range, proven reliability, SIP/ONVIF compliant.
Best for: Multi-tenant apartments, commercial buildings, healthcare facilities, education, any application where reliability is paramount.
Chinese manufacturer Akuvox specialises in SIP-based video intercoms with advanced features including AI-powered facial recognition. Their products offer excellent value while delivering enterprise-grade functionality. ONVIF compliance ensures integration with major VMS platforms.
Key products: R29 Series (7" touchscreen with facial recognition), R20 Series (compact multi-button), E12 Series (single-button residential)
Key strengths: SIP/ONVIF compliant, facial recognition (99.9% accuracy), competitive pricing, SmartPlus mobile app, extensive third-party integration.
Best for: Budget-conscious commercial projects, apartments, sites requiring biometric access without separate readers.
Building on their leadership in CCTV, Hikvision offers video intercoms that integrate seamlessly with their surveillance and access control ecosystem. IP and 2-wire systems support installations from single villas to 500-unit apartment complexes, all managed through the Hik-Connect platform.
Key products: DS-KD modular series (IP), DS-KV villa series, DS-KH indoor stations, DS-KIS kits (2-wire)
Key strengths: CCTV integration via Hik-Connect app, 2-wire retrofit options, competitive pricing, wide product range, unified ecosystem with cameras and access control.
Best for: Properties already using Hikvision CCTV, retrofit installations, budget-conscious projects requiring video security integration.
Global electronics giant Panasonic produces residential and commercial video intercoms with strong smartphone integration. Their consumer-grade systems offer simple DIY installation for homeowners, while commercial solutions scale to multi-building complexes with lift control, CCTV integration, and emergency communication.
Key products: VL-SC Series (residential IP kits), VL-MC3000 (commercial multi-tenant)
Key strengths: Trusted consumer brand, smartphone app with real-time video, voice changer function, wide NZ retail availability.
Best for: Residential properties, homeowners wanting mainstream brand reliability, straightforward installations.
Leveraging their expertise in biometrics and access control, ZKTeco offers video intercoms that integrate natively with their time and attendance and access control platforms. From simple 4-wire analogue kits to IP systems with fingerprint verification, ZKTeco provides cost-effective solutions with strong biometric integration.
Key products: VK07 Series (villa kits), VT07 Series (IP apartment), Notus/F35 (access control with intercom)
Key strengths: Native biometric integration, ZSmart mobile app, competitive pricing, combined intercom and access control devices.
Best for: Sites combining intercom with biometric access control, integration with ZKTeco time and attendance systems.
Modern intercoms become more powerful when integrated with other building systems:
We design integrated systems that connect all your security and communication infrastructure into a unified, manageable whole.
Yes. All the brands we install offer smartphone apps that let you see visitors, talk with them, and unlock doors from anywhere with an internet connection. You'll receive push notifications when someone rings, even if you're overseas.
In most cases, yes. We can add intercom door stations to existing gates and connect them wirelessly via GSM/4G or run cabling depending on distance and site conditions. Gate release functionality integrates with your existing automation.
This depends on the system. Residential systems typically support 3–6 indoor monitors plus smartphones. Commercial and apartment systems scale to hundreds or thousands of stations with no practical limit on smartphone connections.
Not necessarily. 2-wire systems work with existing intercom cabling, and GSM intercoms require no wiring at all. IP systems require network cabling but often utilise existing infrastructure. We assess your building and recommend the most cost-effective approach.
IP intercoms connect to your network like other smart devices, offering better video quality, smartphone access, and integration capabilities. Analogue systems (including 2-wire) use dedicated cabling but can still offer HD video and app connectivity through converters.
Visitors use a directory panel to search for residents by name or apartment number. When they call, the resident's indoor monitor (or smartphone) rings with live video. The resident can speak with the visitor and remotely unlock the main entrance if desired.
Not sure which intercom system suits your property? Our team will assess your requirements, review existing infrastructure, and provide recommendations with transparent pricing — no obligation.