We provide service to many multifamily communities and we discovered that the traditional construction process oftentimes does not deliver good outcomes for multifamily developers, operators and residents. When the low voltage scope is not discussed beforehand with the developer and the low voltage provider, we find that everyone suffers. We have been called in later to replace door access and smart apartment systems installed by other low voltage integrators that are only a few years old. The residents and operators are frustrated because the systems that were installed in the building originally just don’t work very well.

This lack of planning or communities not being updated to today’s newest technologies cause lots of pain. Residents might be forced to use different fobs or cards to enter parking, elevators, and amenity spaces. They also might need to use a metal key to get into their unit. We believe that is a dated and unsafe experience for residents, property managers and facility people. Our cloud-based systems allow the residents to use their phone to get from the curb to their couch, make smart apartment changes and allow guest access from anywhere in the world and save property managers time by having the same type of access.  These systems work in all types of communities (high rise, garden style, etc.) and can be customized based on the community class and competitive market conditions. 

There is no significant requirement for extra space needed to convert to new door access and/or smart apartment. The new systems are easy to convert for almost any door or gate imaginable. The investment for updated door access and smart apartment technology will vary by community. Cloud based systems that Watchmen Multifamily deploys include monthly software updates. These software updates and the fact that the systems are connected to the internet, typically reduce the need for as many service truck rolls and lower service call expenses. Many problems are diagnosed by our Customer Care departments via phone or email and are fixed without a truck roll or service charge.

The future of multifamily unit door access definitely does not look like a metal key. It looks more like a smart lock that is either an offline control lock that does require changes and access to be implemented at the door, or an online smart lock that allows changes to be made virtually by residents, property managers and facility people. Watchmen Multifamily is a national expert at either one of these options.

Community owners and operators can stay up to date on multifamily door access and smart apartment technology by dealing with multifamily-specific integrators like Watchmen Multifamily based in Kansas City and attending industry conventions like OpTech.

With Watchmen Security and Brivo Smart Apartments the tenants have seamless one fob/mobile pass access to their units, amenity spaces, building doors, guest access, elevators,  parking garages and lots.  We deliver one mobile app to open doors, control in-unit Smart Apartment features, submit work orders and even pay their rent.  Popular Smart Apartment features that are most common are doors, thermostats, lights, water sensors, water shutoffs, and home assistants like Alexa.  Property managers like the ease of adding and deleting residents in just a few minutes, no longer dealing with metal keys and locksmiths and Brivo’s self guided tours option.

Today’s renters are demanding safer and better technology and it is an important differentiator when they choose where to live.  63% of renters say they would move out of a community due to a lack of good security.  Over 61 percent claimed that they are likely to rent an apartment specifically because of its electronic access features.  If your multifamily property does not have smart apartment technology you are losing out on prospective tenants and becoming less competitive in the market. Our goal is to deliver you the best in seamless, secure and intelligent places to work, live and play.

If you currently own or manage a multifamily property there are several questions to consider. 1.  How high is market demand in your area for apartments?  2.  What is your liquidity status?  3.  How will residential life be disrupted during the smart apartment transition?  4.  How many units do you manage or own?

Watchmen Multifamily is a division of Watchmen Security Services. Watchmen Security Services is a low voltage security integrator based out of the Kansas City area serving the entire continental United States. The company was founded in 2011 by Lucas and Megan Ingala who are still the current owners. The company operates nationwide and over 50% of our work is in the multifamily vertical. Our expertise in multifamily inspired us to open a multifamily division called Watchmen Multifamily. We typically work with multifamily developers directly to ensure that they achieve the experiences they desire for their residents and internal teams as it relates to door access, smart apartment, security cameras, fire, intrusion and community-wide wifi.