Alloy Intercom Guide

The Alloy Video Intercom provides convenient access for site teams, residents, and guests. Through video calling, automated directory management, and touch-tone unlock, the fully integrated Alloy Video Intercom simplifies access control and property management for all.

Supported Hardware

Calling a Resident for Access from the Intercom

The resident directory is displayed to help users find residents, initiate video calls, and during the call ask residents for access to the door/gate the intercom controls. To call a resident, follow these steps:

Option 1 - Scrolling Through the Directory

Step 1: Scroll through the resident directory list on the left side of the screen using the capacitive touchscreen (see emphasized red rectangle in the image). Swipe your finger up or down on this part of the screen to scroll through the list of residents.

Step 2: When the resident of interest has been located, tap their name to initiate a call, then wait for the resident to answer. A popup on the screen will signal that a call has been initiated.

Step 3: When the resident has answered the call, converse with them and if they choose to do so during the call, they can unlock the door or gate controlled by the intercom by using their phone. When granted access, enter through the door or gate controlled by the intercom.

Option 2 - Searching the Directory

Step 1: On the right side of the home screen there is a search window and the letters of the alphabet (see emphasized red rectangle in the image). Select the first letter of the residents first or last name. Continue typing the resident’s name until it appears on the screen on the left side of the display.

Step 2: Tap the name of the resident and wait for the resident to answer your call. A popup on the screen will signal that a call has been initiated.

Step 3: When the resident has answered the call, converse with them and if they choose to do so, during the call, they can unlock the door or gate controlled by the intercom by using their phone. When granted access, enter through the door or gate controlled by the intercom.

PIN Codes

PIN Codes are used to gain access to the door/gate controlled by the intercom. Users enter their unique PIN so they can enter through the access point. Note: Permanent and temporary codes (deliveries and Self-Guided Tours) are supported. Recurring guest codes are not supported.

To use PIN Codes follow these steps:

Step 1: Select the PIN Codes button from the main screen

Step 2: Enter a valid PIN code and the door or gate will unlock briefly.

How Residents Receive Calls from the Intercom

Residents have two options when it comes to receiving calls from the intercom. Voice, like a traditional phone call, can be received by any phone. The second option, Video calls require specific requirements described below:

Video calls

To receive video calls from an Alloy Intercom, residents must have the SmartRent Resident App installed on their phone and their Alloy Access Member Communication Preference set to Video. Residents can make this change within their app in the account settings section. The default setting is Voice. See this resident flier for more information. Note: Residents will also need to have sufficient data connectivity to receive and perform a video call.

Below are the steps required for a guest to initiate a call, how a resident receives a video call, and how the resident unlocks the door/gate associated with the intercom using their smartphone.

Step 1: The guest finds the resident in the intercom directory and places a call.

Step 2: The resident receives a push notification on their phone stating there is an incoming call from the intercom and invites them to accept the video call.

Step 3: Upon accepting the video call, the resident is presented with a video feed of the guest in front of the intercom. They are able to speak to the guest for the duration of the call. Throughout the call, a green button with the text PRESS TO UNLOCK will appear. If the resident chooses to let the visitor through the access point, they can press this button. The guest will have a few seconds to pass through the door/gate. The resident flier, How to Receive Video Calls from the Intercom also details this process.

Voice calls

To receive traditional phone (voice) calls from an Alloy Video Intercom, the resident’s Communication Preference must be set to Voice (default setting). This can be changed in the Alloy Access software or in the Account Settings of the resident’s SmartRent App.

Below are the steps for a guest to initiate a call and how a resident receives a voice call and how they will unlock the door/gate connected to the intercom using their phone:

Step 1: Guest finds the resident in the intercom directory and initiates a call.

Step 2: Resident receives a call from the number 252-594-6600. Upon answering the call, the visitor and resident converse. Note: It’s recommended that residents add the 252-594-6600 number to their phone’s contacts with the name INTERCOM so future calls from the intercom will be easily recognizable and won’t get accidentally marked as Spam.

Step 3: At any point during the conversation the resident can choose to let the visitor through the access point (typically a door or gate). They do this by pressing the * symbol and the 1 key on their phone. The door/gate will unlock briefly so that the guest may enter. The resident flier, How to Receive Voice Calls from the Intercom, also details this process.

Alloy Intercom Setting

Setting Up the Directory

Alloy Intercoms use access level groups to create the contact list. This list usually includes residents but can have different access levels. For properties with multiple buildings, each intercom list can be set with the correct access level for that building. To configure the directory:

1. Go to the controllers page and select the desired Alloy Intercom.

   1. When creating a new intercom, you will be prompted to select the access level(s) for the contact list.

2. Select the pencil icon.

3. Select one or more access levels from the dropdown.

Configure PIN Access for Members

Alloy Intercoms can read PIN codes, allowing residents, staff, and visitors to unlock intercom doors. Follow these steps to set up PIN access:

1. Go to the Doors Page, create a new door, and select the desired Alloy Intercom as the controller.

2. On the Access Level page, add the Alloy Intercom to the desired access level.

3. Assign the schedule for when members can unlock the door.

4. Click save and test a PIN code on the intercom to ensure it works.

Remove Resident from Intercom Directory

In the case that a resident does not want to be listed within the intercom directory, Alloy Access users can remove a resident’s name from showing up in the intercom’s directory by following these steps:

Step 1: Find the member profile in Alloy Access

Step 2: Edit the member profile by selecting the pencil icon. Next, select None from the Communication Preference dropdown

The Communication Preference dropdown setting can be found at: Alloy Access > Site > Members > View (specific member) > Edit > Communication Preference

For example: In the image below, a resident, wants to be removed from the intercom directory. To do so, the Alloy Access user logs into Alloy Access, opens the site where the resident lives, finds his Member profile, and edits his Communication Preference by selecting None from the dropdown.

Residents can also remove their name from the Intercom directory by downloading the SmartRent App, opening Account Settings, and changing their Communication Preferences to None.

Default Name Settings

The Alloy Video Intercom resident directory is typically populated using the lessee data (Last Name, First Initial) from SmartRent Manager. This data is initially populated via an integration between SmarRent Manager and Alloy Access. After the initial sync, all future resident changes to the video intercom directory should take place within the Members section of the Alloy Access platform located here: Alloy Access > Site > Members.

Change Name Shown in Directory

Alloy Access users can change how names are displayed in the intercom directory. Residents that do not go by their legal name or who might have the same or similar name to another resident, can change the name that’s displayed in the intercom to one of their liking. To change the displayed name:

Step 1: Visit: Alloy Access > Members > View Member > Edit > Nickname

Step 2: Type in the desired name in the Nickname field and hit Save

In the example below, a resident, wants to have his name displayed on the intercom. The Alloy Access user logs into Alloy Access, opens the site where the resident lives, finds his Member profile and edits their Nickname field. After selecting Save, the changes to the name will be reflected in the intercom.

Change Communication Preference

Alloy Access users can choose how a resident (called Members within Alloy Access) of a community receives calls from an intercom. To change the communication preference visit: Alloy Access > Site > Members > View (specific member) > Edit > Communication Preference. There are four options to choose from:

The default Communication Preference setting is: voice

1. Video - Incoming intercom calls come in via video. Residents see and hear visitors at the intercom.

2. Voice - Incoming intercom calls come in by traditional voice call. Residents hear and can speak with visitors at the intercom.

3. None - This setting removes their name from being shown in the Intercom directory as well as from being able to receive calls from the intercom.

View Intercom Call Logs

To receive a record of who received intercom calls and when they were initiated please reach out to support.

Setup Front Desk Voice Calling

If a site desires, a Call Leasing Office button can be created in the directory of the intercom. This provides guests at the intercom an easy way to place a voice call to a predetermined number decided upon by the Site Team.

To do this, Alloy Access Admins will need to perform the following steps:

Step 1: Create a new member from the site with the desired phone number, do this at Alloy Access > Site > Members

Intercom Status

On the intercom controller page, you can see the current status of the intercom. This includes:

• Model

• Firmware Version

• Firmware Build

• Connectivity

Connectivity shows the latest status of the intercom. Here are the different statuses and what they mean:

FAQ