20. May 2025

Secure Access Redefined

Intercom systems today go far beyond basic communication; they play a vital role in creating secure, efficient, and welcoming entry points. At Commend, we strive to enhance every access experience by merging intelligent intercom technology with whichever access control system our customers prefer.

The brand-new Universal Reader is designed to work seamlessly alongside our intercoms and any third-party system. This combination offers a unified solution that improves both security and convenience at entry points. While access control systems manage credentials and permissions, Commend adds a crucial layer of real-time interaction. Our technology brings communication, situational awareness, and proactive guidance directly to the front line of access. The result is a smarter, more personal, and future-ready way to manage secure entries.

In this video, our product manager shows the Universal Reader in action, highlighting its role in visitor access, including the use of mobile cards, physical tags, and QR codes. The video also illustrates how the system supports emergency management by verifying people at designated assembly points:

The combination of intercom and access control means the entry system doesn’t just verify identity – it communicates and guides users effectively. Visual and audio cues help reduce confusion and prevent bottlenecks at entrances.

How does it work?

When someone approaches an entry point, the Universal Reader captures their credentials and sends them in encrypted form to the access control system. That system decides whether to grant or deny access and sends the decision back to the reader. The intercom then delivers a personalized response based on that decision – such as a welcome message or denial reason. If access is denied, users can even call the front desk directly from the intercom. Importantly, all permission decisions are managed entirely by the external access control system, not by Commend. We simply ensure that the process is clearer, faster, and more user-friendly. In doing so, we help create buildings and facilities where communication is a core part of the security strategy. To learn more about the Universal Reader and its capabilities, feel free to download this brochure: