How to Set Up a Virtual Intercom

A Virtual Intercom provides residents’ guests with an additional method of utilizing the features the physical GateHawk Intercom provides. If, for any reason, a guest chooses not to use the physical intercom or the physical intercom has been compromised, the Virtual Intercom allows guests to use the directory and call residents (two-way audio only) as needed from their mobile devices rather than the physical intercom. To access the Virtual Intercom, a guest can simply scan a QR Code posted on the physical intercom giving them access to a virtual version of that intercom directly on their mobile device.

Setting Up a Virtual Intercom

To setup Virtual Intercoms for your clients:

1. Log into the GateHawk Dealer Portal

2. Click the Properties tab at the top of the page
   

3. Choose the desired Property where the Virtual Intercom will be enabled

4. Click the Intercoms tab at the top of the page under the property name

5. Click the three dots menu (⋮) to the right of the desired intercom

6. Click Edit Intercom Details
   

7. Under Virtual Intercom Settings, click on the Enable Virtual Intercom toggle to turn on the feature (the feature is enabled when the toggle is blue)

8. By default, Enable Mobile Device Check will be toggled on when you enable the Virtual Intercom feature, which requires guests to be within a specified range of the physical intercom to utilize the Virtual Intercom (recommended) but feel free to disable it if desired

9. Input the Latitude and Longitude coordinates of the physical intercom’s location on the property using one of the following methods listed in the next section

10. Set the Maximum Distance from Intercom in the text field (the default and recommended is 30 ft)

11. Click Save 

Community guests can now utilize the Virtual Intercom feature for that intercom!

Finding Your Intercom’s Coordinates

The easiest way to find an intercom’s latitude and longitude coordinates is via Google Maps. 

To find the coordinates using your internet browser on your desktop or laptop:

1. In a different window or tab of your internet browser, open https://maps.google.com/

2. Click and drag on the map to find the approximate location of the property

3. Zoom in as closely as possible to find the exact location of the intercom

4. Hover your cursor over the intercom’s physical location and right-click on your computer mouse

5. The coordinates of that location will be displayed in the pop-up menu (click on the coordinates to Copy them to your computer’s Clipboard)

To find the coordinates using your mobile device:

1. Stand by your intercom 

2. Open Google Maps on your mobile device and allow the program to find your location

3. Tap and hold on the screen where the intercom is located on the property to drop a pin

4. The coordinates of the pin will be listed in the Google Maps search bar