This guy may soon be out of a job, or behind a monitor allowing and denying building access with a click of a button.
The New York Times reports on a growing service, Cyber Doorman, that is being implemented in buildings across Manhattan. Traditional doormen are being replaced by complex security systems and people behind the scenes that control access to your building.
How does it work? Well your building's security system is connected to a central hub, where a team of security guards monitor who's requesting access to your building. If a delivery man arrives, he's instructed to place your package in a secure closet, and you are emailed by the company notifying you of your delivery.
The obvious flaw in this system is what happens if equipment malfunctions, or even if an employee malfunctions and isn't keeping an eye on your apartment, as they should. The cost differential between an actual doorman and the installation and maintenance of this service seems the be draw. Now buildings that could not afford a doorman, can receive similar services and feel more confident in their building's security.
Image: Here in Van Nuys
© 2010 Apartment Therapy
Whatever happened to a key?
view Djluckyonline's profile
My building is installing this on Monday. They are also hooking the security cameras up to everyone's cable system. The positive is that now I can get my packages and laundry delivered. Also it keeps my maintenance from coubling as with traditional doormen. The negative is the overbearing security and tracking of everything that happens.
view Bryan Hale's profile
My company provides a similar system which is not mentioned in the above post. Our product is called Virtual Doorman(tm) and is offered by Virtual Service. The system aims to add doorman services to smaller buildings which cannot afford the common costs associated with a full time doorman. Our company installs a system which connects your building with our central monitoring center where the operators there interact with guests and delivery people requesting access to the building. You can find our more information on our company's websites, www.VirtualDoorman.com and www.VirtualService.net. Our system has been featured in AM New York, BusinessWeek online, the NY Times, as well as a feature segment by Roseanne Colletti for Today in New York on NBC channel 4.
view Christian Decker's profile