Revolutionising IP intercom management with the cloud

Sean Peterson, Director of Product, Marketing and Support, Aiphone tells International Security Journal more about the company’s AiphoneCloud solution.

What industry trends have driven you to develop AiphoneCloud?

In an increasingly complicated and unpredictable world, simplicity is no longer a luxury, it’s a necessity.

This is especially true in the security industry where the stakes are high; implementing reliable and efficient solutions are critical.

End users need tools that not only protect their assets but also streamline operations, reducing the complexity of managing sophisticated security systems.

With this in mind, Aiphone has embraced the future of cloud technology, launching AiphoneCloud to help businesses focus on what matters most – without being overwhelmed by technical challenges.

For Aiphone’s security integrator partners, AiphoneCloud offers a more efficient way to manage every aspect of their relationship with Aiphone, from pre-sales support to product deployment and post-installation account management.

Whether it’s handling complex user projects or ensuring smooth transitions between installations, AiphoneCloud provides the tools to make these processes more seamless.

For our customers, we know that minimising downtime, staying current with security updates and integrating with leading industry technologies are vital to keeping their people and assets safe with the least amount of complexity.

With AiphoneCloud, we are building the right solutions to make that a reality.

Why should someone consider adopting AiphoneCloud?

AiphoneCloud is set to address two key challenges in the security industry: The rising cost of labour and the need for a unified approach to management and integration.

For security integrators, the expense of sending technicians into the field – often referred to as “rolling a truck” – has never been higher.

By offering remote configuration and management for our most popular products, AiphoneCloud adds value by reducing the need for on-site service, lowering deployment and maintenance costs for both integrators and their customers.

Additionally, we recognise that end users face the complexity of managing multiple security systems, often with limited personnel who can learn and operate different platforms.

AiphoneCloud works towards simplifying this by enabling better integration with leading security management platforms, allowing customers to streamline operations and manage systems more efficiently from a single interface.

What unique benefits does AiphoneCloud bring?

AiphoneCloud is set to change the way that dealers do business with Aiphone and one of the key components is Remote Management.

It allows security professionals to configure, monitor and troubleshoot Aiphone IP intercom systems from anywhere, at any time.

The implications of this capability are far-reaching, offering unmatched flexibility and responsiveness in system management.

We also offer QuikSpec on AiphoneCloud, which is an on-demand system design tool that enables security integrators to create customised solutions tailored to their clients’ unique needs.

This feature streamlines the design process, allowing for more efficient and accurate system planning.

Finally, AiphoneCloud provides a hub for activation and renewal of services, simplifying the administrative aspects of managing multiple systems and subscriptions.

Can AiphoneCloud help to enhance user experience?

AiphoneCloud and its Remote Management are designed with our customers in mind, its intuitive interface marks a significant improvement over past traditional programming tools, offering a more streamlined and efficient approach to system management.

With Remote Management, technicians can program intercoms, view their health status and make system changes remotely.

This capability reduces the need for on-site visits, allowing dealers to realise more value from their projects.

After the initial equipment installation, subsequent configuration changes or firmware updates can be performed remotely through AiphoneCloud.

The platform serves as a central hub where technicians, sales representatives, branch managers and administrators can monitor users and manage permissions for different technicians to edit sites.

All Aiphone projects moving forward will have a presence in AiphoneCloud, providing a comprehensive overview of a company’s entire Aiphone ecosystem.

And the crucial piece of hardware that makes it all possible is the IXGW-TGW gateway.

It acts as the bridge between local intercoms and the cloud platform.

By facilitating constant connectivity, the gateway enables real-time programming updates and station status monitoring over the internet.

This seamless integration between hardware and cloud infrastructure exemplifies the direction in which the industry is heading – towards more connected, responsive and more manageable systems.

What do you see as the future trends for AiphoneCloud?

The future of Aiphone and AiphoneCloud is centred around evolving to meet the modern demands of security, with a focus on building intuitive, adaptable tools for our partners and customers.

AiphoneCloud, designed and developed entirely in-house here in Redmond, WA, and while still in its early stages, will continue to evolve as an ongoing service.

We’re excited to bring the flexibility needed to keep up with the shifting security landscape.

As AiphoneCloud grows, it will empower our partners to leverage cutting-edge tools that help them protect their clients more effectively and efficiently.

This article was originally published in the November edition of International Security Journal. Click here to read the rest of the issue.