The lives of today's urban dwellers are more complicated than ever before - especially in the city that never sleeps. While often on the go, many find getting out of town for a bit of rest and relaxation to be a logistical nightmare. From dog walkers and maintenance calls to package deliveries, it's not always easy to leave town at the drop of a hat. Virtual Doorman's state-of-the-art remote doorman system, however, offers secure visitor monitoring services that has given thousands of New Yorkers the ability to pack up and head out at a moment's notice. Developed more than 10 years ago by Virtual Service, the leader in advanced video security systems, Virtual Doorman offers luxury non-doorman buildings the safety and peace of mind of a full-time doorman at a fraction of the cost. Residents also have the added convenience of authorizing visitors to access their home even when they're away. Virtual Doorman has the ability to remotely allow or disallow entry to a visitor based on each resident's specific instructions. Any person attempting to access the building is screened and positively identified by a highly trained operator from our remote office. Whether it's your daily dog walker, housekeeper, decorator, or a one-time appointment with a repairman, Virtual Doorman can be programmed to allow access to only certain people at certain times of the day. While our monitoring services are depended on by many for secure visitor entry while away from home, some have even taken it a step further - even going so far as to arrange for an entire home renovation while enjoying the comfort of their vacation destination. Residents can simply use the new Virtual Doorman mobile app or visit our web portal online to add or remove guests from the system. No matter where they are, tenants are able to check who currently has access to the building and make adjustments when necessary. Upon arrival, visitors are greeted by a remote operator from Virtual Doorman and asked to supply the unique passcode given to them by the owner of the residence. Authorized guests are guided to the package room, which contains a key box accessible with a separate four-digit code. The key within will grant them access to only the owner's residence for the pre-determined time duration. Receiving packages while away on vacation is equally as simple. With Virtual Doorman, the delivery person is only granted access to the building's package room and monitored the entire way to ensure they don't stray en route. Our reception management system also positively identifies packages, leading to fewer lost packages or more efficient delivery. Resident's automatically receive an email notification when a package arrives in their name. Virtual Doorman's ongoing commitment to utilizing the latest technology translates time and again into greater convenience and added perks for residents protected by our unique system. Granted a reprieve from work or your other daily obligations? Take advantage and head out of town today. Your home is in safe hands. Colin Foster is a partner and vice president of sales, Virtual Service, New York, N.Y. About Virtual Doorman Developed more than 10 years ago by Virtual Service, a New York City-based provider of interactive video security, video monitoring and alarm systems, Virtual Doorman is the innovator and market leading remote doorman service. This unique system is the most cost-efficient remote doorman service and also helps building managers provide better service. Virtual Doorman is designed to remotely secure the building, greet visitors and provide access, accept deliveries, facilitate maintenance and service calls, offering increased convenience, heightened security and peace of mind for small to mid-sized residential properties. The company is headquartered at 104 West 40th Street, 10th Floor, New York, NY and can be reached at 212-400-6000, via email at [email protected] or on the web at www.virtualdoorman.com.