Touchscreen IP Intercoms: Combating Common Market Concerns
Camilla Ashdown, 03. 04. 2024 | 5 min read
Touchscreen IP intercoms are commonly misunderstood. We’ve noticed concerns in the market about performance, durability, and more. Let’s discuss those concerns and how well-made IP intercoms with touch displays such as the 2N® IP Style address them – making it the best choice for those looking for cutting-edge features, a premium finish, and top-notch security.
Touchscreens are an absolute standard in the smartphone industry, however, in the intercom industry, they’re just getting started. They’re growing in popularity: we’ve found that 23% of our partners who work with large multi-dwelling units (MDUs) have no preference between touch and button-controlled displays and a further 42% said touch displays are preferable.
Why might this be? Well, touch display intercoms have more flexibility in terms of what they show the end-user. You can show a larger number of contacts on the scroll-down list (there are only so many buttons you can fit on a front entrance!) and if the MDU is mixed residential and commercial, touch displays can split the contacts into two sections, display company names, and more.
However, despite the growing appetite for touch displays, many people remain hesitant. Interestingly, the market most reluctant to use touch display IP intercoms is Spain: they have concerns about prices and weather resistance, plus the market is flooded with retrofit MDUs that people think don’t require touch displays.
It's our firm belief that a touch display intercom can be the right fit for almost any project – even old buildings. Let’s explore the concerns that we commonly hear and explain why using an IP video intercom such as the 2N® IP Style may just work for you.
Touchscreen IP intercoms are fragile and break easily!
This concern is one of the most common. 33% of people we spoke to said they perceive touchscreen intercoms as easily broken. It’s no wonder – we all know how easy smartphones are to break! However, this simply isn’t the case for IP intercoms such as the 2N® IP Style, which boasts ratings of IP65 and IK08, meaning it can withstand heavy rain, dust, and even vandalism. Need proof?
They’re not user-friendly
This is something we’ve seen a few times – fears that the users of the older generation, for example, won’t be able to operate the touch display of the intercom. To this, we’d counter the simple fact that touch screens are ubiquitous in modern-day life, and many older people learned to operate them many years ago. Let’s not underestimate them!
Also, we’ve designed the screens of our IP intercoms to be as user-friendly and intuitive as possible. Users don’t have to navigate through complex home screens – the 2N® IP Style shows a list of tiles which display the relevant information very clearly.
Of course, we understand that this doesn’t guarantee that everyone will be able to use a touch display - there will always be someone who needs help. To address this, you could customize the GUI of the 2N® IP Style to display user guides and tips.
Stay up-to-date with the latest news. Subscribe to our newsletter.
Unable to operate in rain
We’ve all tried to use our phones in the pouring rain and been frustrated with its sporadic behaviour and lack of operation. 11% of responders said that they’d doubt the effectiveness of the performance of a touchscreen IP intercom in the rain – but this is quite literally not a problem at all with the 2N® IP Style.
The IP intercom can identify, and then ignore, raindrops – responding only to finger touches (including gloved ones!)
They’re too modern for old buildings
This is something we hear often about IP technology in general. The vast majority of residential projects are older buildings with outdated cabling – and some are even historically valuable, which makes changing things difficult.
IP technology such as the 2N® IP Style and our range of indoor stations and access control readers is actually easy to implement into an old building. How?
1. Use cloud calling
Use a cloud calling service via a remote management platform such as the My2N cloud. This ensures that each product you’re installing only needs to be connected to the internet (no matter the provider) to communicate with each other - and they don’t need to be connected via a cable.
2. Use existing 2-wire cabling
By using an IP Converter, you can fit modern IP devices into old 2-wire cabling. This will allow you to get IP solutions with analogue cabling, thus saving on costs and allowing you to bring modern technology to any building.
And what about style? Does a touchscreen IP intercom look stupid on an old building? Well, no! We love the contrast of a sleek, modern intercom with a renovated historical apartment building – as do many of our customers who love the award-winning design of the 2N® IP Style.
They’re too expensive!
This is the number one issue we’ve encountered – and we understand. A device like the 2N® IP Style is a premium IP intercom designed for high-spec projects. We are not trying to convince you that a simple installation with a lower budget needs it. Rather, if you have a project that could benefit from the cutting-edge features and high-end finish of the 2N® IP Style, don’t neglect it simply because it has a touchscreen.
Did we convince you?
The 2N® IP Style combines aesthetics, functionality, and cutting-edge technology to revolutionize front-entrance communication. Whether it’s a residential building, office, or hotel, this IP video intercom sets a new standard for convenience and security. Remember, the future is at your doorstep—literally! For more technical details, check out the 2N® IP Style datasheet.