Modern Meets Legacy: How IDR Unified Cloud and 4-Wire Intercoms at The Chocolate Factory
Fairstead, a leading national property management firm, partnered with IDR to address a widespread security concern across 42 buildings in their Sunset Park portfolio. Residents were duplicating their proximity fobs at retail stores and handing them off to unauthorized individuals — leading to serious safety and liability concerns for the property owner.
Modern Meets Legacy: How IDR Unified Cloud and 4-Wire Intercoms at The Chocolate Factory
Legacy 4-wire intercom systems needed modernization without complete infrastructure replacement.
Fairstead approached IDR with a unique challenge at their Chocolate Factory property in Brooklyn. They wanted to modernize their building access system by installing a cloud-based intercom — but many tenants were still using legacy 4-wire Leedan intercoms, and some had no access to smartphones or mobile devices.
To solve this, IDR implemented the AlphaTouch intercom platform, which features patented relay technology designed to communicate with older 3- and 4-wire systems. However, the legacy wiring in the building was in poor condition, and the system itself was non-functional.
Here's how IDR delivered the upgrade:
• Sent technicians into every apartment to tone lines and replace damaged wiring
• Repaired and extended legacy infrastructure where needed
• Installed AlphaTouch intercom hardware on a custom pedestal mount in the building vestibule
• Built a custom enclosure to house and manage the relay interfaces
• Configured the system to allow AlphaTouch mobile app and landline functionality while maintaining full support for Leedan handsets
• Integrated both systems to control the same main entrance door, ensuring seamless functionality regardless of which device was used
A hybrid intercom system that offers modern cloud convenience while supporting residents who prefer — or rely on — legacy intercom units.
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