Brivo
Brands · Cameras · Access control · Intercoms · Networking
Security brands we work with in Chicago & North Shore
At 7DVR.com we do not try to support every product on the market. Instead, we work deeply with a compact set of trusted brands for security cameras, access control, video intercoms and networking – and we maintain and upgrade legacy systems that many buildings already have.
This page explains which brands we recommend for new projects across Chicago and Chicago North Shore, and how we treat older systems from Dahua and Hikvision in a safe, realistic way.
Core brands we actively recommend for new projects
Below are the brands we most frequently use when designing new systems for homes, multifamily buildings, HOAs and businesses in Chicago and the North Shore. Each logo links to a dedicated page describing how we deploy that brand in real buildings.
Which brand is used for what in a typical project?
In a real building we rarely use a single vendor for everything. A typical Chicago or North Shore property might combine several brands in a clean, layered design:
| Layer | Primary brands | Typical use cases |
|---|---|---|
| Access control | Brivo, Paxton, HID | Doors, garages, elevators, staff access and mobile credentials for offices, condos and HOAs. |
| Video intercom & entry | 2N, ButterflyMX | Main entrances, visitor access, package rooms and resident apps for multifamily and mixed-use buildings. |
| IP video & cameras | Axis, Hanwha, UniFi Protect | Entrances, parking, hallways, elevators and critical back-of-house areas with long retention. |
| Networking & Wi-Fi | Ubiquiti + others | Secure VLANs for cameras, access control, intercoms and office traffic, plus Wi-Fi for residents and staff. |
| Legacy / takeover | Dahua, Hikvision | Existing systems we secure, stabilise and gradually migrate to safer, more transparent architectures. |
Legacy brands we support but do not install new (Dahua & Hikvision)
Many properties in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs were built or renovated during the years when Dahua and Hikvision were extremely popular. We routinely encounter these systems in garages, small businesses and multifamily buildings.
We do not install new projects based on these brands due to well-known security and policy concerns, but we understand that completely replacing a system is not always realistic in the short term. Instead, we:
- Audit and document existing Dahua / Hikvision deployments.
- Isolate them into separate, non-routable networks.
- Remove direct Internet access and expose video only through secured gateways or VPNs.
- Plan a phased migration to safer camera and recorder platforms, while keeping coverage active during the transition.
How we select security brands for Chicago & North Shore projects
We review far more vendors than we actually deploy. A brand makes it onto this page only after we have seen it perform in real buildings, on real networks, through Chicago winters and busy resident usage.
Key questions we ask before recommending a brand
- Is the hardware reliable over years, not just months?
- Is the software interface usable for property managers and staff?
- Can we troubleshoot and support it efficiently for our clients?
- Is the vendor transparent about updates, security and end-of-life?
- Does the ecosystem integrate well with other layers (network, access, intercom)?
- Is the price level reasonable for the type of property and risk profile?
We also pay close attention to policy and security considerations. For some environments (healthcare, education, municipal and critical infrastructure) we may restrict recommendations to selected brands and NDAA-compliant product lines only.
Not sure which brand is right for your building?
You do not need to choose a vendor by yourself. Tell us what type of property you manage in Chicago or on the North Shore, what problems you are trying to solve, and we will propose a realistic combination of brands and products.
Estimates for new projects are free, and new service clients get 50% off the first service visit when we come on site to stabilise an existing system.
Brand selection – common questions
Can you work with brands that are not listed here?
In many cases yes, especially for basic service and troubleshooting. However, for new projects in Chicago and the North Shore we strongly prefer the brands listed on this page because we know how they behave long-term and can support them efficiently.
Do you have to replace my existing cameras or access system?
Not always. If your current platform is still viable, we can often extend or clean up the existing installation. In other cases we will propose a phased migration plan so you do not have to replace everything at once.
Do you only work on the North Shore or also in Chicago?
We are based in Winnetka and focus on Chicago North Shore, but we regularly work within the City of Chicago as well, especially when a portfolio spans both city and suburbs.
Can you take over systems installed by another vendor?
Yes. We frequently inherit systems from previous contractors. We document wiring and configuration, stabilise what is already there and then plan upgrades using the brands listed on this page where appropriate.
Are you tied to a single manufacturer?
No. We deliberately keep vendor choice flexible, so we can match the brand to the building’s needs, budget and risk profile instead of pushing a single product stack everywhere.
How do you stay up-to-date on new products and end-of-life notices?
We follow vendor announcements, partner programs and community discussions, and we maintain lab environments where we test firmware, new features and integrations before deploying them to client sites.
Can you help standardise brands across a multi-building or multi-city portfolio?
Yes. We often work with owners and managers who have a mix of vendors across several buildings. We can design a standard stack of preferred brands, migration paths and documentation so future projects are consistent and easier to support.
What if my organisation requires NDAA-compliant or security-approved vendors?
We regularly design systems for clients with stricter compliance requirements. In those cases we limit recommendations to approved product lines and document exactly which hardware and firmware builds are used, so your internal security or IT team can review and sign off.