Orbit Security Group

UniFi Access · self-procure

Door access & intercom design

Door access and intercom for a shop front door, a daycare pickup entry, a gate at the fence, or elevator floor authorization — hardware you can actually buy, with viewers in the office or classroom wing when staff need a fixed answering station.

UniFi Access is our default: Door Hub, Gate Hub, Elevator starter kit, G3 readers, Reader Pro, G3 Intercom terminals, Intercom Viewers, standard strikes and maglocks, and the PoE switch that powers them. No per-door licensing. No integrator-only SKUs. The design package includes model numbers, quantities, and wiring notes so you can buy from ui.com, CDW, SHI, Insight, Provantage, B&H, or a local rep.

Intercom is a first-class scope — not an afterthought on a reader quote. A G3 Intercom at the main door or gate is the dedicated station; Reader Pro is the optional intercom when badge and talk belong on one device. Intercom Viewer works with both. Calls go to the UniFi Access app and to fixed viewers; staff see the visitor, talk, and release the lock from the same console as card access and cameras.

We design opening by opening: reader or intercom placement, the right hub for the job (Door Hub, Gate Hub, or Elevator), viewer stations, fail-safe vs. fail-secure, request-to-exit, and lock hardware that matches the frame or gate operator. A shop front door, a daycare pickup door, a side employee entrance, a Gate Hub call box on a Cambium hop, elevator floor selection — that scope, not campus turnstiles or dealer-only enterprise lines that need OEM certification to quote.

When UniFi Access is not the right fit, we still stay inside self-procure access — platforms on normal distribution (ADI, CDW, and similar) without per-door SaaS rent. We lean cloud-first for remote configuration: ProdataKey (PDK) and Napco Access (NA-1 / NA-2 + MVP) sit near the top of that list. Suprema is the premium intelligent reader-controller path when face or fingerprint biometrics, or a strong single-reader door controller, is the better fit. Axis door controllers and Paxton Net2 follow when the site already points that way. Intercom-heavy sites usually stay on UniFi; we will say when another platform is the honest answer.

We do not spec per-door cloud platforms (Brivo, Openpath, Verkada, Kisi, and similar), dealer-program enterprise lines (Lenel, Gallagher, Genetec, Software House), or discontinued panels such as legacy Honeywell NetAXS. Cameras are a separate design line — we do not treat access control as an excuse to dump a vast camera catalog on the same quote.

Install is your call: DIY with a competent electrician, a locksmith, or an integrator we can introduce. The design is the engagement. We stay available for questions against the package after you order.

UniFi Access hardware reference

UniFi Access G3 Intercom

G3 Intercom

UA-G3-Intercom

Dedicated video intercom at the door or gate — directory, two-way audio, and unlock through the Access hub.

UniFi Access Intercom Viewer wall station

Intercom Viewer

UA-Intercom-Viewer

5-inch screen at the desk or on the wall — live view from G3 Intercom or Reader Pro, talk, and unlock from the office or classroom.

UniFi Access Intercom Viewer on table stand

Viewer on a desk

UA-Intercom-Viewer + table stand

Same station on a table stand — director office, front desk, or classroom wing so more than one room can answer the pickup door.

UniFi Access Reader Pro

Reader Pro

UA-G3-Pro

Optional intercom on the reader — NFC, PIN, Touch Pass, doorbell, and two-way audio when badge and talk share one device.

UniFi Access G3 Flex reader

G3 Flex reader

UA-G3-Flex

Compact reader for secondary doors and narrow frames.

UniFi Access Door Hub

Door Hub

UA-Hub-Door

PoE head-end for building doors — readers, G3 Intercom or Reader Pro, strikes, and maglocks.

UniFi Access Gate Hub

Gate Hub

UA-Hub-Gate

Independent gate head-end — readers or intercom at the fence line with lock and AUX terminals for gate operators.

UniFi Access G3 Elevator Starter Kit

Elevator

UA-G3-SK-Elevator

In-elevator readers over PoE to authorize floor selection — up to 18 floors on the same UniFi Access console.

Product images courtesy of Ubiquiti Inc. UniFi is a trademark of Ubiquiti Inc. Orbit Security Group is independent and not affiliated with Ubiquiti.

UniFi Access intercoms

UniFi intercoms — door, gate, elevator, and classroom stations

Not every opening needs a full badge program. Sometimes the job is a single intercom at the front door, a Reader Pro that doubles as talk + badge on one device, a Gate Hub at the fence line, or floor authorization in the elevator car. UniFi Access covers that with G3 Intercom or Reader Pro at the entrance, Intercom Viewers inside, and dedicated hubs for doors, gates, and elevators — on the same console as cameras.

The G3 Intercom (UA-G3-Intercom) is the dedicated indoor/outdoor video intercom — two-way audio, visitor directory, and door release through a UniFi Access hub. One opening, one gate, one pickup door — that is a normal scope for us. Calls route to the UniFi Access app on staff phones and to Intercom Viewers wherever you want a fixed answering station.

Reader Pro (UA-G3-Pro) is the optional intercom path when badge and talk belong on one device: NFC, PIN, Touch Pass, doorbell, and two-way audio in the same outdoor-rated reader. Intercom Viewer works with both G3 Intercom and Reader Pro for visitor screening. We schedule Reader Pro when the opening needs card access and brief visitor talk without a full intercom terminal — and G3 Intercom when directory calling or a larger door/gate station is the better fit.

Hubs are not one-size. Door Hub covers building openings; Gate Hub (UA-Hub-Gate) is the independent gate head-end for readers or intercom at the fence; the G3 Elevator Starter Kit authorizes floor selection from in-car readers for up to 18 floors. Gate and elevator paths get the same drawing discipline as any door — PoE, fail-safe / fail-secure, and network path over Cambium site link or fiber when the opening is far from the building.

Door stations and answering screens

G3 Intercom is the dedicated outdoor station. Reader Pro is the optional intercom when badge and talk share one device. Intercom Viewer works with both — wall plate or desk stand — so the director office and a classroom wing can both see who is at pickup.

Hardware we schedule

  1. G3 Intercom

    UA-G3-Intercom

    Dedicated video intercom terminal for a door or gate — directory, doorbell, two-way audio, and unlock through the Access hub. Outdoor-rated for exposed mounts.

    When: Main entrance, pickup door, side employee door, or gate call box when you want a full intercom station — not a campus phone system.

  2. Reader Pro

    UA-G3-Pro

    Optional intercom on the same device as the reader — indoor/outdoor NFC, PIN, Touch Pass, doorbell, and two-way audio. Works with Intercom Viewer for visitor screening without a separate G3 Intercom terminal.

    When: Employee entrance or secondary door where card access and brief visitor talk share one device — or when the site wants intercom capability without a dedicated door station.

  3. Intercom Viewer

    UA-Intercom-Viewer

    5-inch touchscreen at a desk or on the wall — live video from G3 Intercom or Reader Pro, talk to the visitor, unlock without hunting for a phone. Put one in the director office and another in the classroom wing so more than one room can answer pickup.

    When: Staff who need a physical station instead of phone-only — especially daycare directors and classroom leads at pickup time.

Door Hub, Gate Hub & Elevator

Building doors, vehicle gates, and elevator floors each get their own UniFi Access head-end — not a door hub pressed into every job.

  1. Door Hub

    UA-Hub-Door

    PoE head-end for building doors — readers, G3 Intercom or Reader Pro, strikes, and maglocks on the UniFi console.

    When: Standard single-door or multi-door building openings.

  2. Gate Hub

    UA-Hub-Gate

    Independent gate head-end for vehicle and pedestrian gates — connects Access readers or Intercom at the fence line with lock and AUX terminals sized for gate operators.

    When: Gated lot, compound, or remote entry where the opening is a gate, not a building door.

  3. G3 Elevator Starter Kit

    UA-G3-SK-Elevator

    In-elevator readers over PoE to authorize floor selection — up to 18 floors, with digital inputs for car status and emergency. Same UniFi Access console as doors and intercoms.

    When: Multi-story buildings where floor access belongs on the same badge and audit trail as the lobby doors.

Typical deployments

  • Single front door

    Shop, office, or studio with one public entrance — G3 Intercom or Reader Pro outside, optional viewer at the counter, strike or maglock on the Door Hub.

    • UA-G3-Intercom or UA-G3-Pro (Reader Pro) at the door
    • UA-Hub-Door + lock hardware
    • Intercom Viewer at reception (optional)

  • Daycare / preschool pickup

    Pickup and visitor control without publishing classroom video to parents — intercom at the secured entry, viewers where staff actually work.

    • G3 Intercom at main / pickup door (or Reader Pro when badge + talk share one device)
    • Intercom Viewer in director office
    • Intercom Viewer in classroom wing when calls must be answered on that side of the building
    • Protect cameras on entries and lot

  • Gate or remote entry

    Gated lot, pump station, or compound — Gate Hub at the fence with intercom or Reader Pro, site link or PtP back to the building when the gate is far.

    • UA-Hub-Gate at the gate pedestal or enclosure
    • G3 Intercom or Reader Pro at gate post
    • Maglock or gate operator interface
    • Network path on Cambium PtP or remote WAN head-end when needed

  • Elevator floor access

    Lobby badge and in-car readers on the same UniFi Access console — authorize which floors a credential can call.

    • UA-G3-SK-Elevator (G3 Elevator Starter Kit)
    • In-elevator readers on PoE
    • Lobby Door Hub + Reader Pro or G3 Intercom when visitor screening belongs at the entrance

  • Private school main entry

    Visitor screening at the front door with audit trail — intercom or Reader Pro, viewer at front desk, door access records on the same UniFi console as cameras.

    • G3 Intercom or Reader Pro at main entry
    • Intercom Viewer at front desk
    • Card access for staff and authorized pickup where the scope includes badges

Daycares & preschools

Intercom Viewers are for staff to screen visitors and manage pickup at fixed stations. Parent-classroom livestream apps are a different product category — if you already use one, we design operator intercom and security video alongside it, not as a replacement for it.

Intercom on the design package

  • Intercom and viewer locations on the floor plan — which doors get G3 Intercom vs. Reader Pro, which rooms get answering stations
  • Hub schedule with the right head-end per opening — Door Hub, Gate Hub, or Elevator kit — plus orderable part numbers
  • Call routing notes — app users vs. fixed viewers, and who can release each door or gate
  • Gate or remote paths when the intercom is not on the building wall
  • Elevator floor maps and reader placement when floor authorization is in scope
  • Commissioning checklist — test call, video, and unlock before go-live
  1. 01

    G3 Intercom or Reader Pro

    Dedicated G3 Intercom outside, or Reader Pro when badge and talk share one device. Intercom Viewer inside — office, reception, or classroom wing.

  2. 02

    Door Hub, Gate Hub & Elevator

    Independent head-ends for building doors, vehicle gates, and elevator floor selection — same UniFi console, orderable part numbers, no per-door rent.

  3. 03

    Opening-by-opening clarity

    Each door, gate, or elevator gets a hardware set, hub path, viewer routing, and fail-safe / fail-secure call — not a one-line allowance.

What you leave with

  • Door-, gate-, and elevator-by-opening hardware schedule with orderable part numbers
  • Intercom, Reader Pro, and Intercom Viewer locations with call-routing notes
  • Door Hub, Gate Hub, or Elevator kit wiring notes
  • PoE / switch or panel power requirement for the access head-end
  • Commissioning checklist for whoever installs

Per-door SaaS platforms and dealer-only enterprise lines are out of scope. Camera systems are scoped separately when the site needs video.

Self-procure access — what we filter for

We lead with UniFi Access. When another platform is a better fit, we lean cloud-first for remote configuration and support — and we also design around high-quality intelligent reader-controllers and biometric platforms when they fit the opening better. Still only platforms you can buy on normal distribution (ADI, CDW, and similar), without per-door SaaS rent or dealer-only SKUs.

We design around

  • Orderable from ADI, CDW, SHI, Insight, Provantage, B&H, or another distributor — or direct from the vendor store
  • No per-door SaaS license (monthly rent per opening)
  • No dealer-only SKU that blocks the owner from purchasing

Out of scope

  • Per-door subscription platforms (Brivo, Openpath / Avigilon Alta, Verkada, Kisi, Genea, and similar)
  • Dealer-program lines that require partnership to buy or program (Lenel, Gallagher, Genetec Synergis, Software House, and similar)
  • Dealer-only enterprise campus platforms with turnstiles, fire-recall elevator packages, or OEM certification paths we do not carry (UniFi Elevator floor authorization is in scope)
  • Discontinued or end-of-support panels (for example legacy Honeywell NetAXS) — not for new work

  1. UniFi Access

    Default

    Door Hub, Gate Hub, Elevator kit, G3 readers, Reader Pro (optional intercom), G3 Intercom terminals, Intercom Viewers, strikes, and maglocks on the UniFi console — no per-door licensing. Order from ui.com, CDW, or your rep. Best default when you already run UniFi switching or Protect.

    When: Default for most SMB door counts — single-door intercom, Reader Pro at an employee door, Gate Hub at the fence, elevator floors, or multi-door access on the same UniFi console.

  2. ProdataKey (PDK)

    Fully cloud-native access on pdk.io — R1 / R2 / R4 / R8 controllers through ADI, strong mobile credentials, offline door operation when the WAN drops, and clean remote configuration for support after install. Best modern cloud alternative when UniFi Access is not the door hardware or console fit.

    When: You want cloud-first remote management, mobile credentials, and ADI-orderable controllers without standing up a traditional on-prem access server.

  3. Napco Access (NA-1 / NA-2 + MVP)

    One-door and two-door cloud-ready panels — MVP EZ for a simple app path, or full MVP Access when the site needs more. Promoted and stocked at ADI. Built for fast installs and remote management after commissioning.

    When: One or two openings, ADI fulfillment, and a cloud panel stack that installs quickly without a full traditional head-end.

  4. Suprema

    High-quality intelligent reader-controllers — BioStation 3, FaceStation F2, and certain BioEntry / XPass models carry onboard relay, door contact, REX, network, and local database. They are full door controllers, not just readers. Hardware is available through normal security distribution without a full Suprema reseller agreement. Runs standalone or under BioStar; basic hardware deployments stay inside the no per-door SaaS filter. Some models also support intercom-style talk when an opening needs access and communication together.

    When: Single-door or small multi-door jobs that want face or fingerprint biometrics, high-security credentialing, or an intelligent single-reader door controller — including clients who buy and install the hardware themselves with our design and specification support.

  5. Axis network door controllers

    AXIS A12 / A16 edge controllers and A17 / A18 multi-door units — open IP architecture, OSDP readers, PoE to the door or centralized cabinets. Runs on Axis Camera Station or third-party ACS software; hardware is distributor-orderable without a dealer-only lockout.

    When: Site already on Axis cameras, needs OSDP or elevator/vehicle credentials Axis already supports, or UniFi Access is not the door hardware fit.

  6. Paxton Net2

    Compact controllers and readers with one-time software licensing — stocked at ADI and a common self-install path for small offices when Net2 is already on the short list.

    When: Small office, straightforward card access, owner wants a known SMB platform with perpetual software rather than a cloud console.

  • Brivo, Openpath, Verkada, Kisi, Genea — Recurring per-door or per-site cloud licensing
  • Lenel, Gallagher, Genetec, Software House — Dealer partnership required to purchase and commission
  • Honeywell NetAXS-123 / N3300 — Discontinued / end-of-support — not recommended for new designs

Need a design consultation?

Tell us the property and what has to work — boardwalk shop, strip mall unit, network, cameras, a wireless hop to the lot, remote WAN, or a single-door intercom. We will scope the engagement and say what belongs on paper first.

Request a design consultation