Key Takeaways
- Managing access control and video separately increases operational complexity and cost.
- Bundled security systems improve visibility, streamline vendor management, and reduce service delays.
- Integration can lead to real savings on guard costs, staff time, and vendor overhead.
- The right system can use your existing hardware—no need to rip and replace.
- Bundling video and access control future-proofs your security strategy and improves ROI.
Why Integrated Security Is the Smartest Investment You’re Not Making
In today’s multifamily landscape, access control has become a standard.
If your building’s video surveillance and access control systems are siloed—or worse, managed by different vendors—you’re not just juggling multiple contracts. You’re compromising performance, increasing response time, and potentially driving up costs. That fragmentation? It’s quietly draining your team’s time and your budget.
Let’s unpack why bundling your video with access control isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s an operational must.
The Problem: Fragmentation Is Expensive
When your security infrastructure is managed by separate vendors, day-to-day tasks get messy fast. Consider a single security incident, such as a package theft or unauthorized entry:
- You log into your access control system to check entries.
- Then switch to a separate video platform to view footage—if the timestamps line up.
- Meanwhile, you’re emailing one support team and on hold with another.
- Hours are lost. So is clarity.
This is the hidden cost of disconnected systems.
And there’s a literal cost, too.
According to industry data , the average on-site security guard can cost up to $50/hour—over $100,000 annually for full-time coverage. That’s a steep price to pay when smart, integrated security solutions can provide 24/7 monitoring and proactive incident response for a fraction of the cost (Deep Sentinel).
The Solution: Bundle Access Control and Video Surveillance
When your video and access systems work together, everything else gets easier. Here’s what bundling can unlock:
1. Streamlined Incident Resolution
Unified systems allow you to see access logs and video side by side—no toggling, no guesswork. That means faster response and fewer open tickets.
2. Centralized Management
Managing multiple communities? Bundling lets you apply the same access and monitoring rules across all properties from a single dashboard. Train once. Scale infinitely.
3. Measurable Cost Reduction
Fewer support calls. Reduced guard hours. Less need for third-party tech support. The operational efficiencies of bundling add up fast.
4. Enhanced Resident Experience
When your systems work together, your team can spend less time troubleshooting and more time responding. That means faster resolutions and fewer complaints—both of which drive resident retention.
Bundling Doesn’t Mean Starting Over
That means:
- No large capital expenditure.
- No disruption to your residents.
- No retraining your staff on new platforms.
You keep the infrastructure you’ve already paid for. You just make it work harder.
What to Look for in an Integrated System
If you’re considering a bundled solution, prioritize these features:
- A single provider for access, video, and intercom
- A centralized dashboard for all locations
- Remote monitoring and AI-powered alerts
- Compatibility with your existing hardware
- 24/7 customer support from a provider who knows your building
These are the features that unlock true ROI—not just in dollars saved, but in hours returned to your team and confidence restored to your operations.
Final Thought: Smarter Security Is Simpler Security
Your current access control system is a strong foundation. But to truly optimize your security investment, it’s time to bring video into the fold.
The buildings with the best security aren’t spending more. They’re spending smarter—by consolidating their tech stack, simplifying operations, and choosing partners who can do more with less.
Kastle has helped thousands of multifamily communities upgrade their security without ripping out what’s already working. We bring your access, video, and intercom into one smart, streamlined system—so your team gets more clarity, fewer headaches, and better ROI.
See how smarter security pays off → Visit the Kastle Multifamily Video Surveillance Page
