In the fast, high-technology era of building entry and security, condominium boards and building management fight on a daily basis between the siren song of new technology and the dependability of tried systems. Of all the old apartment entrance solutions, Doorking is a company that has embodied an bygone era of tenant communication and visitor management. The Doorking brand has been a familiar face on apartment complex, gated housing estate, and business property doorsteps for generations, offering a straightforward yet robust access control solution.
The story unpicks the longevity of Doorking, describing its modus operandi, defining characteristics, and how its old strong suits face up to the demands of new convenience and smart integrations. In order to be able to find a way through the complicated realm of intercom upgrades for personal use, familiarity with the history and current abilities of Doorking is important in determining what the proper "apartment call box" for their residence will be. We'll get a sense of whether or not this old-timer is still viable in a video intercom world, smart phone apps, and cloud management, to help you decide if a Doorking telephone entry system is the direction you should go with your specific application.
Doorking: A Long History in Apartment Entry
Doorking, or simply called DKS, has built a huge niche in the access control market by being in business for decades. Being a premium producer of telephone entry systems, gate operators, and access control systems, Doorking set up its reputation by producing heavy-duty and high-quality hardware able to endure the abuse of continuous round-the-clock outdoor use. Their solution was first choice with building managers who wanted secure entry protection without having to be network-gurus.
In apartment houses and multi-tenant buildings, Doorking has been most prevalent. Their ubiquitous "apartment call box" models, usually constructed of durable stainless steel, were ubiquitous, providing a simple yet efficient means by which tenants could be called by visitors. With this greater antiquity, millions of properties today still have a Doorking telephone entry system in place, the early widespread acceptance and longevity evidence of their capacity to remain current.
Its long history of great reputation comes from its steadfast commitment to ease of access control. While the broader marketplace has been satiated with glittering technological advancement, Doorking has remained committed to its heritage of reliability, hardwired, or cell-based telephonic communication of entry. Its reluctance to abandon what it does best has guaranteed that it has become a classic favorite, perfectly adapted for those who appreciate ease of functionality over trendy smart capability.
How Doorking Telephone Entry Systems Operate
In effect, a Doorking phone entry system simply uses ordinary phone lines or cellular communications to connect the visitor to the occupant. As a visitor reaches the front door, they will typically dial a keypad or scroll wheel directory on the outside "apartment call box" to find a resident's name or apartment number and establish a connection. This signals the Doorking unit to call the resident's stored landline or cell phone number.
For the resident, to answer a call from a Doorking system is not any different from answering a regular telephone call. After they are relayed through, they can engage in a voice two-way conversation with the door caller. This renders voice recognition of the caller with a very minimal component of security. The system is actually not hard to operate with no other special equipment within the unit aside from a regular phone.
To open, the resident simply presses a pre-designated key on his or her phone keypad, in most cases the '9' key. The signal is picked up by the Doorking unit, which responds by energizing the electronic door release motor and letting in the visitor to the building. This easy "buzz-in" feature has been the mainstay of the Doorking telephone entrance system across generations, a testament to its worth for straightforward access control.
Key Doorking Features for Apartment Buildings
Doorking systems are very durable, with heavy-duty tough construction being the number-one priority for any exterior "apartment call box." Doorking systems have heavy-duty weather-resistant enclosures usually of stainless steel, which are capable of enduring harsh weather conditions and potential vandalism. Physical toughness is thereby guaranteed to give a long operational life with minimum wear and tear replacement.
In addition to limited voice communication and door release, Doorking also equips some of their models with additional features for multi-tenant use. They can include integrated keypads in the system to provide residents access through secure PIN code, or integrated proximity card readers in a configuration to simply enter by key fob or access card. There are even digital directories with little LCD displays for basic resident lookup on some of the more high-end models, but these are not graphical displays, merely text.
Management-wise, the Doorking systems are beneficial tools to the property staff. Directories can be installed directly onto the unit keypad on smaller schemes, or via PC software on larger schemes, with remote update as an option. While full audit trails or sophisticated integration with property management software is generally restricted compared to modern IP-based systems, Doorking does provide robust, centralized management of resident access codes and contact numbers.
Doorking’s Durability vs. Modern Convenience
Doorking's bracing is unadulterated in the guise of its toolbox-style toughness and cold-stone dependability, i.e., its telephone entry system models. The units are tank-like in build and designed to tick like clockwork and lucratively for years, at times decades, with little or no hassle. This "set it and forget it" capability is a huge asset to property managers who desire a tough, no-maintenance "apartment call box" that just functions day in and day out and then some, very resistant to weather or light mechanical shock.
This focus on good ol' fashioned toughness does, however, come at a cost in the form of sacrificed high-end and contemporary amenities to which managers and renters increasingly demand access. Most Doorking systems are voice-only, without the visual feedback of video intercoms, a feature well worth the extra expense. And without smartphone apps to operate the system remotely or process visitors, touchscreen capability, and integration with property management software or smart home gear, Doorking systems also have an old-fashioned feel in today's technologically oriented market.
The cost is apparent: a Doorking system offers unparalleled physical resilience and simple voice communication but does not enjoy the rich user experience and operational efficiencies of contemporary smart intercoms. Residents who have learned their lives by navigating them with a smartphone may find the antiquated "buzz-in" mode frustrating, and building managers will give up the remote directory updates, full audit logs, and package management available with newer cloud-based systems.
Is Doorking the Right Fit for Your Property?
For certain types of properties, a Doorking telephone entry system remains a valid and legitimate option. In case your number one requirement is a very robust, no-nonsense entry system with good voice articulation and simple access control with no massive up-front investment in sophisticated infrastructure, then Doorking is a proper choice. It's particularly well-suited to those properties with limited wholesale wiring refit budgets or are located where optimal outside resistance to extreme weather is the top priority, and residents simply don't need smart home integration.
For buildings that must step up security with video verification, ease operations with remote monitoring, or deliver luxury, tech-savvy resident experience, however, Doorking could be lacking. Rental tenants are demanding features like phone app-controlled entry, video calling, and guest passes for short terms, none of which are standard on the typical Doorking model. Property managers seeking straightforward integration with their existing property management software or deeper audit trail features will have to seek it elsewhere in more feature-packed products.
Through the pursuit of alternatives, there are many alternatives to property managers through the lens of IP-based video intercoms all the way to more advanced AI-based systems. Teman GateGuard is a compelling updated alternative in providing HD video intercom capability, no in-unit cabling (no cost of installation), built-in 4G internet (so there is no reliance on building Wi-Fi), and secure AI-based security features that record every interaction at the door. Its long-term low-cost monthly plans make it an economical option for properties that desire luxury details without the typical hassle or prohibitive upfront cost historically incurred with full-feature intercom overhauls, a complete contrast to Doorking's antiquated lower-feature alternatives.
Doorking is a reliable proven traditional solution for apartment building entry systems with rugged hardware and uncomplicated voice communication that has proven to be reliable for decades in buildings. Its uncomplicated "apartment call box" design and robust construction make it an enduring solution for uncomplicated access control applications, particularly those with the desire for simplicity and durability.
But with changing demands of residents and property managers today, the vintage Doorking telephone entry system finds itself competing with a new breed of networked, feature-rich intercoms. A decision to select a Doorking system today is an educated one, balancing tradition of reliability against growing demand for video capability, mobile access, and cloud-based management. Lastly, the right choice for your property will be an intelligent one based on a combination of your finances, future business goals, and some amenities your tenants really need with this age of technology.