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Key takeaways
ADT Multifamily is a comprehensive smart home and security platform for apartment communities, formerly known as IOTAS before being acquired by ADT in 2022.
Primary benefit: 24/7 professional monitoring combined with self-guided tours and centralized property management capabilities.
Main consideration: Limited smart home features compared to specialized proptech solutions.
Notable alternatives include SmartRent, ButterflyMX, Brivo and Allegion/Schlage, each offering different strengths for multifamily properties.
Introduction
Managing modern multifamily communities requires more than traditional security systems. Today's residents expect smart technology that enhances their living experience while helping community managers operate more efficiently. ADT Multifamily represents one approach to meeting these evolving demands, combining the security expertise of a century-old company with contemporary smart home automation features.
Whether you're considering upgrading your current property management technology or implementing smart solutions for the first time, understanding what ADT Multifamily offers and how it compares to other options is crucial for making an informed decision. This comprehensive review examines ADT Multifamily's core offerings, benefits, limitations and alternatives to help you determine if it's the right fit for your community.
About ADT Multifamily: An overview
ADT Multifamily, formerly known as IOTAS, represents the convergence of traditional security expertise with modern proptech innovation. While ADT itself was founded in 1874 and is headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, the multifamily division took shape when ADT acquired IOTAS in 2022.
IOTAS, originally founded in 2014, had established itself as a platform that integrated smart devices such as lighting, thermostats and locks, enabling community managers and residents to automate and control their spaces. The company focused on enhancing convenience, energy efficiency and connectivity within rental communities before being folded into ADT's broader portfolio of security and smart home solutions.
Today, ADT Multifamily serves property managers, owners and operators of multifamily housing communities, offering a blend of traditional security monitoring with modern smart apartment features. This combination leverages ADT's established reputation in security while incorporating the innovative technology solutions that today's rental market demands.
ADT Multifamily's core offerings
ADT Multifamily provides a comprehensive suite of solutions designed to address the key challenges with self-guided tours, smart home automation, integrated security systems and centralized management.
Self-guided tours
ADT Multifamily's self-guided tour solution addresses one of the most pressing needs in today's rental market: providing flexible showing options that accommodate busy prospective residents. This turnkey solution enables prospects to schedule and tour available units at their convenience using a one-time access code. The system allows potential renters to view properties and amenities at their chosen date and time, effectively extending your showing hours beyond traditional office hours.
Smart home automation
Smart home automation features allow residents to create a more personalized living experience while providing property managers with greater control over their units. Residents can remotely control smart lights and thermostats, create custom automations that fit their lifestyles and use voice control through integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Nest. The mobile app interface makes these controls accessible from anywhere, giving residents a greater sense of ownership over their rental space. The system typically includes alarm systems, video doorbells, smart locks, smart thermostats and smart lighting as core components.
Integrated security systems
Security remains a cornerstone of ADT Multifamily's offering, featuring comprehensive alarm systems, video doorbells, smart locks and 24/7 professional monitoring. This integrated approach ensures resident safety while providing property managers with a single source for security system design, installation, monitoring and maintenance. The 24/7 monitoring means there's always professional oversight in case of emergencies or system issues, adding a layer of security that self-monitored systems cannot provide.
Centralized management
Perhaps most valuable for property managers is the centralized management capability that allows control and monitoring of systems across multiple units from a single smartphone dashboard. This centralized approach enables management of dozens or even hundreds of units more easily by connecting them all on one platform. Critical tasks such as controlling thermostats in vacant units or changing lock codes at move-out can be performed remotely, significantly streamlining operations and reducing the need for on-site presence for routine tasks.
Key benefits for property managers
Streamlined multi-unit management
The ability to manage dozens or even hundreds of units across multiple locations from a single platform represents a significant operational advantage. Centralized management provides property managers with more freedom to focus on taking care of their properties and residents, streamlining workflows.
Expanded showing capabilities
Implementing self-guided tours provides the benefits of a 24/7 lead management tool, frees up staff for other essential tasks and allows prospects to tour at their convenience. The result is optimized team productivity and potentially increased lead conversion by offering more accessible viewing options.
Enhanced resident satisfaction
Smart home automation represents a highly desired amenity that can significantly enhance both resident satisfaction and property value. ADT Multifamily's integrated solutions provide residents with a greater sense of ownership over their rentals. These capabilities serve as powerful leasing tools that can help property managers increase occupancy, add monthly revenue and enhance long-term property values.
Increased leasing success
By offering highly desired smart features like alarm systems, video doorbells, smart locks, smart thermostats and smart lighting, you can improve resident satisfaction and make your properties more desirable to prospects. Residents are often willing to pay extra for these features, which can add monthly revenue streams and enhance your property value.
Operational savings
The integration of multiple systems into a single platform means you can manage numerous units more easily, as they are all connected and accessible from one place. The 24/7 professional monitoring for emergency services and the ability to facilitate self-guided tours with one-time access codes further expand operational efficiency while reducing staffing requirements.
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Strengths & considerations
Understanding both the advantages and limitations of ADT Multifamily is crucial for making an informed decision about your community technology needs.
Strengths of ADT Multifamily:
24/7 professional monitoring: ADT monitors security systems live, ensuring there's always professional oversight in case of emergencies or system malfunctions. This level of monitoring provides peace of mind that self-monitored systems cannot match.
Robust security features: Given ADT's emphasis on security, the security features are more comprehensive than many competitors. The company's long-standing reputation in security translates to reliable, professional-grade protection for multifamily properties.
Amazon Alexa & Google Nest integration: Residents can use voice control through Alexa or Google to manage their systems or seamlessly integrate their own devices, providing a familiar and convenient user experience.
Considerations of ADT Multifamily:
Limited smart home capabilities: While security features are comprehensive, residents may desire more extensive smart apartment features than ADT provides. A focus on security can sometimes come at the expense of broader smart home functionality.
Non-specialized focus: ADT operates across multiple sectors, including commercial, solar, home security, senior health and business security. This diversification means it doesn't focus exclusively on multifamily or rental properties, potentially limiting innovation in this specific sector.
Reliance on third-party integrations: ADT relies on integrations with other point providers, such as property management systems and maintenance management platforms. This dependence means it's not a complete proptech solution and may require additional vendors to achieve full functionality.
Pricing
ADT Multifamily does not provide upfront pricing information on its website, requiring potential customers to speak with a salesperson to obtain pricing details.
The 24/7 professional monitoring service, while valuable, adds to the overall cost compared to self-monitored systems. Property managers should factor in these ongoing monitoring fees when calculating total cost of ownership.
For cost-conscious community managers, savings from proptech solutions can help offset implementation costs. If you're uncertain about the financial impact of proptech solutions, consider piloting devices for one unit or one building before rolling out to larger portions of your portfolio.
Alternatives to ADT Multifamily
ButterflyMX vs. ADT Multifamily
ButterflyMX is a proptech company founded in 2014 and headquartered in New York, NY. The company focuses specifically on video intercoms and access control for multifamily properties.
Similarities & differences
ButterflyMX specializes in access control and video intercoms, while ADT offers broader smart apartment and self-guided tour solutions.
ADT provides live monitoring for all its systems, whereas ButterflyMX does not offer this service.
ADT is a larger company with long-term stability, while ButterflyMX operates as a startup that emphasizes newer technology innovations and more specialized multifamily solutions.
Brivo vs. ADT Multifamily
Brivo is a proptech company founded in 1999 and headquartered in Bethesda, MD. The company focuses on security and smart apartment technology for both business and residential properties.
Similarities & differences:
Both companies offer extensive security options and smart apartment features, but ADT also includes self-guided tour capabilities.
ADT provides a more turnkey solution compared to Brivo, though neither offers a complete proptech solution.
Brivo offers more third-party integrations than ADT, which tends to keep customers within its ecosystem through expanded device options.
Allegion/Schlage vs. ADT Multifamily
Allegion/Schlage serves various property types with a dedicated arm for multifamily properties. Schlage was founded in 2004 and acquired by Allegion in 2014, with US headquarters in Indianapolis, IN.
Similarities & differences:
Both companies emphasize security and access control, but ADT offers more comprehensive smart apartment solutions.
Both provide remote management capabilities for property managers.
Allegion/Schlage emphasizes its open API and partnership approach, while ADT positions itself as a standalone provider with less emphasis on third-party integrations.
SmartRent vs. ADT Multifamily
SmartRent was built specifically for the rental industry and founded in 2017 with headquarters in Phoenix, AZ. The company provides a comprehensive portfolio that enables better automation and expanded capabilities, with experience serving some of the biggest names in the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC).
SmartRent has demonstrated significant market penetration with 600+ clients served, 1.3M rental homes serviced by Smart Operations Solutions, 828K rental homes powered by Smart Communities Solutions and 3.1M connected devices across their network.
Detailed comparison:
ADT Multifamily | SmartRent | |
|---|---|---|
Suitability | Mid- to large-size multifamily properties focused on security | Large-scale multifamily portfolios |
Self-guided tours | Yes: access via temporary codes and scheduled time blocks | Yes: integrated with access control, smart locks and property management systems |
Leasing integration | Limited: some property management software compatibility | Extensive: Yardi, RealPage, Entrata, ResMan |
API and integrations | Some integrations (esp. with Google/Nest ecosystem) | Robust API support and integrations with major PMS and IoT systems |
Energy management | Limited: smart thermostat scheduling | Extensive: full energy usage tracking and optimization |
Analytics and reporting | Moderate: system status and usage metrics | Moderate: system status and usage metrics |
Security features | 24/7 monitoring, intrusion alerts and video surveillance (doorbell & cameras) | Role-based access, guest codes and remote locking |
Implementation and support | Full professional implementation, monitoring setup and ongoing support | Full white-glove, professional implementation, monitoring setup and ongoing support |
The key differentiator lies in SmartRent's specialization in the rental industry, offering more extensive property management system integrations and energy management capabilities, while ADT Multifamily provides more robust security monitoring through its 24/7 professional monitoring service.
Enhance renters' satisfaction & your workflow with SmartRent technology
The evolving landscape of multifamily property management demands solutions that meet today's operational needs and anticipate future requirements. While ADT Multifamily offers valuable security and basic smart home features, property managers seeking comprehensive proptech solutions may find that specialized platforms provide better long-term value and functionality.
SmartRent's focus on the rental industry, extensive property management system integrations and a comprehensive approach to smart building technology make it an attractive alternative for community managers looking to maximize operational efficiency and resident satisfaction. To learn more about how SmartRent can transform your property management operations, explore our comprehensive solutions designed specifically for the multifamily industry.