It was difficult to give this post a concise title:

I am looking for recommendations or experiences from anyone who has successfully integrated a Fermax (or similar) video door intercom panel with ip audio/video server hardware for use with an iPad app.
[Link: fermaxusa.com]
Searching the iPad App Store there are a bunch of 'intercom' apps ranging from high-end to kiddy-toy and many of them are manufacturer device specific. Whatever the solution, I need to replicate it solidly in 18 high end apartments.

Just in case you need to tell me that the way do this is with an end-to-end IP capable intercom system - save it. What I would have recommended at the design stage and what my client has now been left with are two different topics. It is fair to say that the Client got totally screwed over by an 'integrator' (I don't even want to say 'CI') and now has composite video and analog audio feeds from the main call panel wired into each apartment.

The 'integrator's' solution was then to hack a hole in the hallway wall of each apartment, cannibalize the mic, speaker and interface board from a Fermax wall station, jam it in the back of the hole ......... then, ........... wait for it ......... throw in a home-made WOODEN mounting frame containing an iPad and finish it off with an aluminum faceplate that may well have been engineered with tin sheers.
The standard of work is so much worse than anything I've ever seen it really defies description. I do have a bunch of photos of all this but I'm not able to share right now as there are privacy and legal concerns.

Other crazy aspects of this installation:

Open the front door to the apartment and there is the iPad in its home made recessed coffin, no lighting pads or switches. Just an iPad that looks like it lost a fight with the drywall. So as you enter your multi-million $ home you have to stand in the dark while you 'slide on’ the iPad, locate and run the lighting control app … and finally select a scene! Totally, completlely, ridiculous.

This same iPad has a control system app installed that includes satellite tv functions. The iPad is located in a hallway …….. and is FIXED into the freakin’ wall. I guess the decorator will be providing a series of mirrors to enable the program guide to be viewed all the way from the family room (???). How is this in any way a benefit of systems integration??? Might just as well put in a Harmony - at least it could be in the same space where it was going to be used!
Often these high end units are gutted and remodeled as soon as they are sold so I will push for big blue solutions where possible. In the meanwhile I need to find an ip intercom solution and get a test unit running.This could have been sooo easy .......

wow

Sounds like the interior desecrator got together with the custom inebriator.

I can't wait to see photos.

Very funny ........ but frustratingly too true. This is what happens when the decorator has an o.d. on Apple Kool Aid and an unscrupulous integrator sees an opportunity for a quick buck. Integration DISASTER.
However, it's just work and I bill by the hour.

Don't forget that there are always two sides to the story. Who knows who was really driving this train wreck. Don't do any temporary/questionable work to rig this together. Offer them correct solutions and if they don't want to move forward because of cost or time...let some other sucker be their #2 CI.

Thanks Stamp - and indeed there is a twisted story behind this project which I won't repeat here, at least for the time being. Let's just say that in this train wreck there were two trains involved, both driven by amateur engineers ;)