If you are currently in the market for a smart doorbell for both security and convenience reasons, then it is highly likely that you have already come across the brand Ring. This company is among the top choices when it comes to video doorbells for personal use in the home setting. However, it is important to note that the Ring doorbell system is not very effective in an apartment setup. This is precisely because the features included within the system are not tailored for multi-tenant use. If you are on the lookout for a smart doorbell specifically designed for apartment applications, then it would be best to browse for a ring outdoor camera alternative instead. In this article, we are going to look into the Ring doorbell system and see where it is best suited and what features it boasts.
Single-Tenant vs Multi-Tenant
Before we proceed into the discussion, we need to understand first the difference between a single-tenant system and a multi-tenant system. Essentially, from the term itself, a single-tenant system describes a housing setup where there is only one tenant or client, such as in a house or a family home. In contrast, a multi-tenant setup is where there are more than one tenant living in a residential building or establishment. For example, apartments and condominiums. These two tenant systems require different features when it comes to granting and preventing access via smart locks and video doorbells.
Camera and Video
In the Ring platform, users can use the mobile app to check the cameras and see the person at the doorstep. This allows users to conveniently and safely engage with the person and determine if he/she is an expected visitor or if he/she may be a threat. In an apartment setup, you would want a camera and video system that is much more extensive and advanced. For example, you would want to have a log where all photos and videos captured by the cameras are uploaded into the system. This allows you to fully monitor everything within a central control unit or room. These data are effectively stored into the apartment’s security system drives and can be accessed at any point in time or when the situation warrants it.
User and Management Interface
When using Ring, you primarily make use of the system’s mobile application. This is a very simple and intuitive tool so that you have access to the system’s basic functionalities and features. Although this is great for individual and personal use, it may not be very practical for larger-scale operations. In a multi-tenant setup, it would be best if you can monitor all the data and access all functionalities through a more advanced mobile app or through a desktop web dashboard. This app or web dashboard should then be very accessible to the management and security staff for better control and responsiveness.
Remote Door Unlock
One of the major drawbacks when it comes to Ring is that it cannot be set up to remotely unlock doors. The Ring system is limited to function as a doorbell only. Effectively, it can only give out audio cues to the user and then the user would have to manually unlock the doors. The lack of the ability to remotely unlock doors is quite problematic in an apartment setup. This is because, in a multi-tenant system, you will constantly have to grant access to rooms and other areas in the building. Remote door unlocking will make this process a lot more convenient and more time efficient.
There are plenty more details to talk about when it comes to the features that you will be needing in an apartment setup that is just not available in the Ring doorbell system. If you really want to dive deep into the discussion, we recommend that you check out other online guides and references so that you can get more familiar with the topic. As of now, the conclusion would be that Ring is a great option for personal or individual use but it is not very practical to apply it to larger-scale operations where more features are required.
