SIA New Member Profile: ButterflyMX

New Security Industry Association (SIA) member ButterflyMX offers a complete property access solution, providing a secure, convenient and affordable way to manage and grant access on the go. The company is headquartered in New York City, and its products are installed in all 50 U.S. states and internationally in Canada, Europe and Australia.

SIA spoke with Aaron Rudenstine, CEO of ButterflyMX, about the company, the security industry and working with SIA.

Tell us the story of your company.

Aaron Rudenstine: ButterflyMX was founded in 2014 to ensure that residents of multifamily buildings never missed a delivery or visitor because they weren’t home. Our founder, Cyrus Claffey, came up with the idea of using a smartphone to grant property access into a building instead of the standard in-unit devices that required residents to be home.

Since then, ButterflyMX has become the leading access control provider by making propertywide access simple for everyone. Our products empower users to open doors, gates, elevators and garages with just their smartphones. They also enhance security by empowering users to launch two-way video calls with visitors, letting them see who they’re letting into the property.

What solutions/services does your business offer in the security industry? And what makes your offerings or your company unique?

AR: ButterflyMX offers a wide range of sleek hardware and powerful software designed to streamline access into and throughout properties of all types. Our flagship product is our video intercom, which empowers people to not only open doors with their smartphones but also offers a host of other useful features such as temporary access for guests, video calling and an audit log of entry events.

We also offer access control products designed for other entry points, including hands-free vehicle access control, elevator controls, package rooms, self-guided tours, keypads and smart lock integrations.

When these products work together, they create a propertywide access control solution that can be managed from a single device.

What’s something we might not know about your company – or something new you’re doing in security?

AR: We recently launched a partner program, which provides installers and integrators with discounted pricing, installation referrals, product and installation training and sales and marketing support. This not only provides installers and integrators with the ability to recommend and install our award-winning products at their client’s property, but also provides them with the opportunity to grow their business through generous incentives.

What is your company’s vision, and what are your goals for the security industry?

AR: At ButterflyMX, our vision is to make property access simple and secure. Our goals for the security industry are to ensure that access can be provided for people to the buildings and spaces that matter.

What do you think are the biggest opportunities in the security industry right now?

AR: Unify access control, security cameras and locks into one easy-to-install, use and manage system. This will give property owners a holistic view of access to their property without the hassle of managing multiple systems.

What are your predictions for the security industry in the short and long term?

AR: In the short term, unified property access solutions that combine access control, security cameras and locks will become the norm. Property owners and managers will benefit from a single view of their entire property and no longer have to waste time updating and managing fragmented systems that don’t work seamlessly together.

In the long term, the security industry will integrate more deeply with property operations, providing better experiences and greater efficiency for owners, tenants and visitors.

Moreover, I think these emerging technologies will utilize adaptive learning processes like artificial intelligence and machine learning that offer valuable data-backed insights into properties.

What are the biggest challenges facing your company and/or others in the security industry?

AR: The biggest challenge facing our industry is integrating legacy and fragmented systems to leverage centralized data to make informed security decisions. By doing so, property administrators will not only be able to make better decisions in dynamic environments that require flexibility and adaptability, but also better equip themselves. As property management becomes more centralized, these data can inform decisions across entire portfolios of buildings, allowing for more efficient and effective decision making.

What do you enjoy most about being at your company – and in the security industry?

AR: I enjoy the people I work with, the access control and security problems we solve for our partners and clients and the impact we’re leaving on the security industry. At ButterflyMX, we believe in opening doors – not closing them. Every day, we challenge ourselves to provide the world with innovative ways to provide people access to the spaces that matter.

What does SIA offer that is most important to you/your company? And what do you most hope to get out of your membership with SIA?

AR: SIA is the access control industry’s leading voice and is responsible for growing and shaping our industry. By partnering with SIA, we hope to participate in insightful industry events, build meaningful connections with other industry professionals and collaborate with other innovative leaders. Through these efforts, we’ll continue to contribute to laying the groundwork for propelling the industry, as well as ourselves, forward.

How does your organization engage with SIA? What are your plans for involvement in the next year?

AR: As new members of SIA, we plan to actively participate in SIA-hosted events and connect with both new and existing partners. We also plan  to strengthen our ties in the security community, stay informed about emerging trends and contribute to the industry’s growth.

The views and opinions expressed in guest posts and/or profiles are those of the authors or sources and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Security Industry Association.