Outdated intercoms don't just frustrate residents with poor audio and constant buzzing — they pose significant security risks that can even affect your property's value and safety. In fact, older intercom systems often suffer persistent issues like crackling audio, static, or outright malfunctions, and finding spare parts for repairs is increasingly difficult (not to mention expensive). If your building still relies on an aging intercom, it's time to consider an upgrade. Below, we break down the top three reasons why that old system should be on your list for a capital improvement this year.
Many Miami buildings still use decades-old intercom units that have long outlived their prime. These systems not only annoy residents with poor performance, but also leave serious security gaps that modern criminals can exploit. Let's explore the biggest vulnerabilities of old intercoms — and how upgrading to a smart video intercom can protect your property.
1. No Visual Verification = Zero Real Security
Who are you really buzzing in? With an audio-only intercom, you have no idea. Granting entry is essentially "opening the door blind." Residents must rely on voices or vague claims ("It's the delivery guy!") without any visual confirmation. This lack of verification creates a massive security loophole. Anyone could impersonate a trusted visitor to gain access. For example, package thieves have been known to pose as delivery drivers to slip into buildings. Similarly, intruders might pretend to be maintenance workers or a resident's friend over the intercom. An audio system won't reveal the ruse until it's too late.
Modern video intercoms close this loophole entirely. They place a camera at the entry and stream video to the resident's smartphone or in-unit screen during the call. This allows residents to see exactly who is at the door before letting them in. A video-enabled system lets you positively confirm a visitor's identity at the point of entry request, meaning far fewer unauthorized people will slip inside. If the person at the door isn't who they claim or looks suspicious, the resident can simply refuse access – a layer of security impossible with old audio-only units.
Visual verification isn't just about catching obvious impostors; it also deters would-be intruders. A building outfitted with a camera-based intercom sends a clear message: guests are being recorded. Potential intruders are far less likely to target a property if they see a video intercom at the entrance, knowing their face is captured on camera. In this way, a video intercom works as a passive crime deterrent as well as a real-time verification tool. From preventing break-ins to stopping "porch pirate" package thieves, the ability to visually screen visitors dramatically elevates your security. An old audio box by the door simply can't offer that peace of mind.
In short: If your intercom has no camera, it provides zero real security. You're trusting voices in the void, which is a risky gamble. Upgrading to a modern video intercom (such as a ButterflyMX smart intercom) means every visitor is screened and verified before entry – a fundamental improvement to your building's safety.
2. Physical Keys and Fobs are Inefficient and Insecure
Another major flaw of legacy intercom systems is their reliance on physical credentials like metal keys or RFID fobs for building entry. Managing physical keys or fob access for hundreds of residents is a property manager's nightmare – and a serious security weakness. Think about it: when a tenant moves out or an employee quits, can you be absolutely sure you got all the keys/fobs back? If not, you have an unaccounted key floating out there, potentially in the wrong hands. Each unreturned or lost key is a security breach waiting to happen, since everything that key unlocks remains vulnerable until you change the locks or deactivate the fob.
Lost keys and fobs are not a rare occurrence, either. Over half of Americans (about 56%) lose a key or key-fob each year, which underscores how common this problem is. Every time a key goes missing, building security is compromised. The typical solution – rekeying the locks – is expensive and time-consuming. For example, rekeying a single lock might cost ~$40, so rekeying 100 apartment door locks could run around $4,000 in locksmith bills. And that's on the low end; if a master key is lost, rekeying an entire building (or multiple access points) can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Physical credentials also create administrative overhead: tracking who has which fob, collecting them on move-out, and distributing new ones. Mistakes or delays in that process can easily lead to unauthorized access. In short, traditional keys and fobs are inefficient to manage and inherently insecure – they can be copied, stolen, or never returned.
Going Keyless with Smart Intercoms
A modern smart intercom system eliminates these headaches completely. Upgrading to a smart video intercom means going keyless – no more physical keys for the front door at all. For instance, residents can unlock doors with a smartphone app or a secure PIN code, and former tenants automatically lose access when you deactivate their digital credentials. Access permissions are managed digitally in a secure online dashboard, where you can add or revoke someone's entry rights with a few clicks. Did a tenant move out or lose their phone? No problem – you can instantly disable their app access or issue a new virtual key without calling a locksmith. You can even grant temporary "virtual keys" or PINs to visitors, dog walkers, or maintenance staff that expire automatically after a set time. This level of control is simply impossible to achieve with physical keys or fobs.
Crucially, a smart intercom means no more costly rekeying projects every time a key goes missing. By some estimates, properties save an average of $80,000 per year in operating costs by switching from physical entry methods to modern smart access systems. The savings come from reducing manual labor (no more on-site key programming and inventory management) and avoiding hardware costs for rekeys and lock changes. But beyond efficiency, the real benefit is security: you have confidence that only the right people have access at any given time, and if there's any doubt, you can change permissions immediately. Digital access control is both more secure and more convenient.
Bottom line: If your building is still depending on physical keys or outdated fobs, it's running on borrowed time. Lost credentials and inefficient key management will eventually lead to a security incident (or major expense). Upgrading to a cloud-managed video intercom system like ButterflyMX gives you total control over who can enter, with far less hassle.
3. Lack of Entry Records Leaves You Vulnerable
Have you ever had an incident in your building and wished you could go back and see who entered at that time? With an old intercom, you're out of luck. Legacy intercom systems keep no usable entry records at all. Once someone is buzzed in, there's no trace of it. If a theft, vandalism, or worse occurs, you have zero data to investigate – no timestamps, no images, nothing to give police or to use in identifying the culprit. This lack of an audit trail leaves you extremely vulnerable and blind to security events. It also means there's no accountability for misuse of the entry system. For example, if a tenant claims "I never let that person in," there's no easy way to verify. All you might have is a sign-in sheet or some unreliable eyewitness accounts. In today's world, that level of opacity simply doesn't cut it.
Automatic Entry Logging and Photo Capture
Modern smart intercoms solve this with automatic entry logging and photo capture. Systems like ButterflyMX maintain a cloud-based log of every door release event: each time someone unlocks the door or a PIN/code is used, the system creates a time- and date-stamped entry, often with a corresponding photo of the person at the door. For instance, ButterflyMX's software snaps a photo of every visitor who gains entry and stores it for 365 days. Property managers or security personnel can review this log at any time via the dashboard or mobile app. The log provides a verifiable record of exactly who came in and when, which is invaluable for security investigations.
If a package goes missing from the lobby, you could check the log and see who the last visitors were. If there's damage in the building, you can find out who entered around that time and narrow down suspects. Having this kind of entry audit trail hugely improves accountability and response. As security experts note, at minimum you want timestamps and images saved for each visitor accessing the building, because a good visitor log can reveal who might have stolen a package or caused an incident. Old audio intercoms give you none of this insight.
In addition to aiding investigations, entry logs act as a deterrent (much like security cameras do). Residents and visitors know that entries are monitored and recorded, which discourages rule-breaking and unauthorized access. And if something does happen, you're not left guessing – you have evidence ready to go. This level of oversight can also be helpful for resolving disputes (e.g. "the delivery never arrived" – actually, the log shows it was received at 2 PM). Without entry records, you're essentially operating on the honor system and memory, which isn't reliable for security. Modern intercom systems remove the uncertainty by documenting everything that occurs at the front door.
To put it plainly: No records means no security. Upgrading to a smart intercom gives you a 365-day memory of all entry activity at your property – a powerful tool that old systems simply cannot match. It's like moving from having no cameras to having a full CCTV DVR at your door. In today's security climate, that difference is monumental.
The Solution: A Modern, Smart Upgrade
Upgrading your property's access control with a modern video intercom is one of the most impactful investments you can make. It instantly closes the security gaps of your old system and brings a host of benefits. First and foremost, it enhances security on all fronts: you get visual verification of visitors, digital credential management, and comprehensive entry logs – effectively solving the three major risks we outlined above.
But beyond security, a smart intercom improves the resident experience in ways old systems never could. Residents love the convenience of answering the door from their smartphones and not worrying about missing deliveries or carrying extra keys. In Miami's competitive real estate market, these modern amenities translate to happier tenants and even higher property values. A sleek, app-enabled intercom system can boost your building's appeal – it shows that the property is up-to-date with technology and serious about safety.
Easy Installation and Low Maintenance
From a practical standpoint, upgrading is likely easier than you think. Many smart intercoms (like ButterflyMX) are designed for painless retrofits. They can often use existing wiring or minimal new wiring – in fact, some models only require three connections (internet, door lock, and power) and don't need any in-unit hardware. This means you don't have to tear open walls or run cables to every apartment as was required for old systems. The hardware is typically durable and weather-resistant, built to withstand Miami's heat, humidity, and storms (for example, ButterflyMX panels have a vandal-resistant casing and carry an IP65 weather rating for outdoor use). Once installed, maintenance is low – software updates are handled in the cloud, and there are no antiquated parts to degrade like buzzing speakers or wiring junctions.
Perhaps most importantly, a modern intercom upgrade puts you in control of your building's access. You'll have a management dashboard to monitor entries in real time, adjust permissions on the fly, and integrate with other security systems if needed. For example, as a property manager you could receive a notification and photo each time someone enters, or easily sync the intercom with your existing access control or camera systems for a seamless security ecosystem. This kind of remote management and integration simply wasn't possible with last-generation intercoms, but now it's standard. The result is a safer property with less day-to-day hassle.
305 Locksmith: Certified ButterflyMX Partner in Miami
As a certified ButterflyMX partner in Miami, 305 Locksmith specializes in designing and installing these state-of-the-art intercom systems for local properties. We can help you replace your outdated intercom with a 21st-century solution tailored to your building's needs.
With a ButterflyMX smart video intercom, you'll get secure, visual entry access, smartphone-based door unlocking, automatic entry logs, and a sleek unit that enhances your property's curb appeal. It's time to stop risking your security on that old buzzer and start enjoying the peace of mind that a modern system provides.
Upgrade Your Intercom, Upgrade Your Security
Your property's security is too important to leave to an outdated system. Don't wait until there's an incident to realize your intercom is putting residents at risk. Upgrading your old intercom to a smart video intercom system is a smart, future-proof move. It closes the door on security risks and opens up a world of convenience for you and your residents. And in doing so, it can even save money and increase property value over time – truly a win on all fronts.
Ready to upgrade your property's security? Contact 305 Locksmith today for a free consultation on our ButterflyMX installation services. Your Miami property and residents will thank you for it!