Providing security for extreme nesters.

At a time when stress in the workplace seems to be at an all-time high, gridlock abounds and time is more precious than ever, it's not surprising there's a growing trend to for people to stay home more often and import services of all kinds, such as private fitness trainers, massage therapists, the groceries, videos and more.

In a recent article in which The Wall Street Journal describes this stay-at-home phenomenon as. "Extreme Nesting," the question arises how much (if at all) should security be beefed up to ensure the safety and privacy of residents. Plenty, according to Lucien Bohbot, president and founder of Unitone Communication Systems, Inc., a 19-year old New York-based company which designs and installs microprocessor-based video intercom systems in upscale multifamily buildings throughout the New York Metro area, Boston, New Orleans and Montreal.

"We've just launched a new, highly sophisticated security series, System 21V (so named for the 21st Century)," said Bohbot, born and raised in Casablanca, Morocco, though a 30-year resident of the U.S. "In addition to being the first color video intercom system to be introduced in New York, it is, bar none, the most secure of all systems on the market, with features such as on-screen messaging, special medical and smoke alerts, and an intrusion alarm, to name a few."

The company already has its systems (namely 21 V's predecessor, System 2000) installed in such prestigious New York properties as Metropolitan Tower at 146 West 57th Street, Three Lincoln Center at 160 West 66th Street, The Savoy at 200 East 61st Street and The Horizon at 415 East 37th Street.

According to Bohbot, there's such a huge demand nowadays for developers and property owners to outfit their buildings with high-speed Internet access, that installing high-tech security systems has become less of a priority. He feels that at the time when Extreme Nesting is more and more the norm, owners/developers should be more vigilant than ever about ensuring their buildings are equipped with excellent security systems.

Owners generally offer cable-based intercom systems through telecommunications companies which "bundle" security systems with their main service of basic wiring. "There's absolutely no advantage in combining security with a phone/cable system," contends Bohbot. "Security and privacy should come from a separate, independent source that will not fail them should phones or cable go down."

Moreover, says Bohbot, Unitone systems are more cost-effective than phone/cable-based systems, require just three sets of wires and one coaxial cable to install, and are designed for installation in both existing and new buildings.

Main features of the system, which operates slightly differently depending on whether or not the building has a doorman/concierge, include: video intercom (in color), allowing residents to view callers; intrusion alarm; medical alert; smoke alert; on-screen messaging; remote access (residents can communicate with the concierge from anywhere within the apartment); and a taxi/garage request.

Trained as an engineer, Bohbot came to America in 1969 and was fascinated by New York's skyscrapers. He was well aware that there were few sophisticated systems in place at that time to ensure security in tall buildings. Ultimately, he was among the first in his industry to introduce a microprocessor-based computer security system in New York City.

Recently, Barbara Laskin, who runs her own business as a media trainer, has begun to play an active role in marketing Unitone systems to building owners and developers. She feels strongly that end users (the residents of multifamily buildings) should understand the differences between Unitone's systems and phone/cable based ones. For example, she is very critical of the system whereby residents see their visitors only on their TV screen on a designated cable channel. "That technology is 30 years old, cumbersome and dangerous because residents can watch the lobby all day long to see who's entering and leaving. What's worse is that they can even videotape the comings and goings on their VCR!"

Laskin is also a supporter of both the medical and smoke alert features of the system. The former is a device that's ideal for elderly or ill residents because it can instantly alert the concierge/doorman when there's a need for medical attention. On his computer screen, the concierge can ascertain the name of the doctor to call, which medications are needed, which hospital to ring, and any other information that has been previously programmed.

As for the smoke alert feature, Bohbot and Laskin are awaiting an opportunity to speak with Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney following the tragic Seton Hall fire which took the lives of three students. Maloney announced her intention to introduce legislation that would require universities to install sprinklers in all college dorms. But Bohbot and Laskin maintain that their smoke alert system is far more effective than sprinklers, because the system warns residents, as well as the concierge or doorman or guard, of an imminent fire before it ignites. And since it is not water-based; furnishings are not completely ruined as they would be if sprinklers were turned on.