Modern Intercom Systems for Business & Strata: IP vs 2-Wire vs 4G (How to Choose)
Intercoms have changed a lot in the last few years. What used to be a simple buzzer at the front door is now a visitor-management tool - helping you verify visitors, manage deliveries, and control entry from a wall station or mobile device. If you’re upgrading an older system (or planning a new fit-out), this guide breaks down the three most common options - IP (PoE) video intercoms, 2-wire retrofit kits, and wireless/4G door stations - and how to pick the right one for your site. What a modern intercom system should do A good intercom is about speed, safety, and clarity - especially for busy sites handling visitors, contractors, and deliveries. • Clear audio and sharp video so staff/tenants can verify visitors quickly • Mobile answering and remote unlock for managers who aren’t always at reception • Door/gate control via strike, maglock or relay (designed to suit the door and site risk) • Audit trail / logging (useful for incidents and after-hours events) • Integration with access control and CCTV so decisions are faster and better informed Option 1: IP video intercom (PoE) Best for: new builds, network-ready sites, multi-entry buildings, scalable systems. IP intercoms run over your network (often using PoE), giving you high-quality video, app control, and an easy path to expand. Why businesses and strata choose IP • Easy to scale - add doors, stations, monitors and users without rebuilding • Strong integration options (CCTV, access control and management platforms depending on design) • A future-ready pathway for multi-tenant sites What to check before choosing IP • Network health (switch capacity, PoE budget, VLANs where required) • Where intercom calls should land (reception, tenant mobiles, security, after-hours) • Cabling pathways and entry hardware suitability Option 2: 2-wire retrofit intercom kits Best for: replacing older systems without re-cabling. If you’ve got an ageing intercom and you want modern features without ripping walls open, 2-wire retrofit kits can often reuse existing cabling and wall locations - a faster upgrade path that can still deliver video and modern controls. Why retrofit is popular • Lower cabling disruption (often the biggest cost and time saver) • Faster turnaround for strata upgrades • Cleaner outcome for occupied buildings What to check • Cable condition and distances • Power requirements and door hardware compatibility • Whether mobile answering is supported in your chosen configuration Option 3: Wireless / 4G door stations Best for: gates, temporary entries, remote buildings, or difficult cabling runs. For sites where trenching or cabling is expensive (or not permitted), wireless/4G door stations can be a practical solution - especially for gates, construction access points, or standalone entries. Common use cases • Front gate intercom with remote unlock • Secondary entry points where cabling cost is hard to justify • Remote sheds, depots or standalone buildings What to check • Mobile reception at the door station location • Expected call volume and who answers after-hours • How door release is safely implemented (and whether fail-safe or fail-secure is appropriate) The biggest win: mobile answering + remote unlock For many teams, the real ROI is simple: fewer interruptions and faster decisions. Modern systems can allow you to answer from your phone, verify a visitor on video, and unlock with a tap - whether you’re on-site or off-site. This is especially useful for • Busy receptions and shared workspaces • Warehouses handling frequent deliveries • Strata buildings where tenants want delivery visibility • After-hours access workflows Don’t treat intercoms as standalone - integrate them Intercoms are strongest when they work as part of a joined-up security setup. Common pairings • Intercom + Access Control: consistent entry rules, credentials, and door states (https://www.metwide.com.au/security-services/access-control) • Intercom + CCTV: verify visitors with door video and wider site context (https://www.metwide.com.au/security-services/cctv) • Intercom + 24/7 Monitoring: optional escalation for after-hours events depending on design (https://www.metwide.com.au/security-services/back-to-base-monitoring-24-7) A simple ‘choose the right intercom’ checklist Before you quote or spec a system, document: • Number of entry points (doors, gates, lifts, car parks) • Number of users (tenants, staff, reception operators, security) • Whether you need a multi-tenant directory and admin tools (common in strata and larger sites) • Existing cabling condition (if upgrading) • Integration goals (access control, CCTV, after-hours response) • Who answers calls during business hours vs after-hours
Common questions about intercom installation
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What’s the difference between IP and 2-wire intercoms? IP is typically best for new builds and scalability; 2-wire is often best when you want to reuse existing cabling and minimise disruption.
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Can an intercom integrate with access control and CCTV? Yes - and it’s one of the most practical upgrades for faster, safer entry decisions.
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Will my older audio system upgrade to video? In many cases, yes - especially using retrofit pathways - but it depends on cabling condition, distances, and door hardware.
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Do I need a licensed installer? Using a licensed team helps ensure safe installation practices and reliable handover for ongoing support.
A modern intercom system can improve day-to-day security, visitor handling, and delivery flow without slowing staff down. Whether you choose IP (PoE), 2-wire retrofit, or wireless/4G, the best outcome comes from matching the technology to your building, cabling, and workflow - and designing it to integrate cleanly with the rest of your security stack. Want help selecting the right pathway? Talk to Metwide about Intercom Solutions: https://www.metwide.com.au/security-services/intercom-solutions Image suggestions and alt text Use short, specific alt text. Include the keyword naturally; avoid stuffing.
• IP video intercom door station at commercial entry • PoE IP intercom with camera at office front door • Indoor video intercom monitor for business reception • 2-wire intercom upgrade using existing building cabling • 4G gate intercom with mobile call and remote unlock • Intercom integrated with access control for secure door release • Video intercom and CCTV coverage at building entrance