Nelson Manor

Apartment intercom replacement in Abbotsford: Viscount NSL to Akuvox S539

The old Viscount NSL (no subscriber line) system used the building's wiring to ring telephones inside residents' suites. It provided audio communication without a visitor video image, and residents could not answer that in-suite handset when they were away.

With the Akuvox S539 and SmartPlus app, residents can receive a video call, see and speak with the visitor, and release the entrance from their phone when connected to the internet. A delivery or visitor call no longer depends on someone being inside the suite.

Temporary keys for deliveries, with landline calling for residents who prefer it

Residents can create temporary keys for expected deliveries, including Amazon and UPS couriers. Authorized council members can also generate QR codes for approved service providers, giving them a practical way to arrange access without handing out a permanent credential.

Residents who do not want an app had their regular landline numbers programmed into the new system. They can answer an audio call and buzz a visitor in using a familiar telephone. Physical RFID fobs remain an everyday entry option, so smartphone use is a choice.

Strata access control in Abbotsford: mobile credentials and fob backup

The upgraded entrance supports configured facial recognition, NFC, Bluetooth, app unlock and RFID fobs. Facial recognition is the intercom's access feature; residents can choose another supported entry method.

At the elevator-to-parkade lobby door, the new access control supports Bluetooth, NFC, issued Apple Wallet credentials on compatible devices, app unlock and configured Siri shortcuts. A regular RFID fob provides a physical backup. This part of the project controls the lobby door between these areas.

Parkade gate control with app, Siri, CarPlay and a remote

Before the upgrade, the standalone Linear gate controller operated separately and did not provide council with access logs. The new gate controller brings the gate into the managed access system.

Residents can open the gate through the app, configured Siri commands or a compatible CarPlay setup. They were also supplied with a physical remote, keeping a straightforward alternative available when they prefer not to use their phone.

CCTV installation in Abbotsford: 12 cameras and the intercom view

WeTech installed 12 security cameras, carefully concealing the cabling for a clean finish around the camera mounts. The photos show lobby, elevator-area and outdoor camera installations.

The S539 intercom camera was also integrated into the NVR (network video recorder). This brings the entrance intercom view into the recording system alongside the CCTV camera views, providing another view for authorized incident review.

One portal for property management, with remote access and event history

The property manager has a cloud portal for managing the intercom, gate control, access control and integrated CCTV access. Authorized users can program and delete fobs, review access logs and change the intercom directory remotely, without visiting the building for each routine update. CCTV footage is recorded on the NVR.

Council can now review registered access events, including the assigned credential or user, the controlled entrance and the recorded time. These records help establish how an entry was authorized; they do not independently identify every person who walks through a door.

If a resident sells a unit and does not return a registered fob, management can disable that credential remotely. The building no longer needs the physical fob back to remove its authorization.

A practical response to missed deliveries and missing-package concerns

Missing packages were one of the concerns behind this upgrade. Video visitor verification, temporary delivery access, access history and recorded camera views give residents and authorized management more ways to arrange deliveries and investigate reported incidents.

The completed project gives Nelson Manor more convenient entry and clearer control over building access. Residents can arrange approved visits more easily, and management has access records and camera views to support incident review.