IP intercoms are taking over the market – what does it mean for your property?

The European market for IP video intercoms is experiencing strong growth. According to Verified Market Research, the market is expected to double from approximately DKK 7.6 billion in 2023 to DKK 15.2 billion in 2031. At the same time, data from Mordor Intelligence shows that over half of all new access installations globally are now cloud-based. This is not a vision of the future; it is happening right now.

But what does it mean in practice for your property?

From wires to the internet

Traditional intercoms use dedicated cabling between the door station and the indoor unit in each apartment. It works, but it’s expensive to install, difficult to upgrade, and impossible to control remotely. IP-based systems instead use the internet, the same network that is already in the property. This means that the intercom can be connected to an app, managed from a computer, and updated automatically.

Three things that change with IP

Firstly: remote access. Residents can open the door from the app no matter where they are. The package delivery person rings, you are at the office, you open from your phone.

Secondly: central administration. A property administrator with 50 properties can create and remove access across all properties from one dashboard. No physical driving, no key handovers.

Thirdly: automatic updates. The system is continuously updated with new features and security improvements. No service technicians need to go out and manually update firmware.

Mobile access is the new standard

A survey from HID Global shows that 64% of companies already use mobile access today, and that this number is expected to reach 80% within five years. In the residential sector, we see the same trend: residents expect to be able to control access from their phone, just as they control everything else.

In Denmark, we see companies like WelcomeBob building precisely this type of solution – a cloud-based intercom with an app, video, and digital access control that can be installed in a day and managed without technical knowledge.

What should you consider?

If your property needs a new intercom within the next couple of years, it is worth considering an IP-based solution. The most important questions are:

• Can the system be updated over time, or is it locked to the version you purchase?
• Can residents use an app, or does it require a physical indoor unit in each apartment?
• Can the administrator control it centrally?
• What happens to your data, and how is GDPR handled?

The market has already shifted. The question is not whether IP intercoms will take over; it is whether your property is ready.