ButterflyMX offers several admin (staff) roles, each with a different level of access to the ButterflyMX OS and related apps. This article breaks down what each role can and cannot do, so you can assign the right level of access to the right people at your property.
π Note: All individuals must first be added to your property as a tenant before they can be assigned an admin role. If you need help adding someone first, see How to Manually Add Tenants to the ButterflyMX OS.
Admin Roles at a Glance
ButterflyMX has four staff-facing admin roles (in addition to the default tenant role):
| Role | Primary App | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Property Admin | ButterflyMX OS | Property managers with full control |
| Community Admin | ButterflyMX OS | On-site staff with day-to-day management needs |
| Unit Admin | ButterflyMX OS | Office managers in commercial buildings |
| Front Desk Attendant | Front Desk Station | Concierge, doormen, and security staff |
Property Admin
Property Admins have the highest level of access at a property. They can manage all property access and app permissions within the ButterflyMX OS.
β οΈ Each property must have at least one and no more than two Property Admins at a time.
Property Admins can:
- Manage all tenants, units, and access settings across the entire property
- Add and remove admins of any role, including other Community Admins
- Configure intercom, entry point, and building settings
- View property-wide access logs
- Manage Visitor Passes and delivery PINs
- Send building-wide messages
π‘ Tip: If you are the only Property Admin and are leaving the management team, make sure you assign a second Property Admin before you go.
Community Admin
Community Admins can manage property access and app permissions for individuals with more restricted roles at the property β specifically Unit Admins and Front Desk Attendants.
Community Admins can:
- Add and remove Unit Admins and Front Desk Attendants
- Manage tenant access and permissions
- View access logs
- Send building-wide messages
- Manage Visitor Passes and delivery PINs
Community Admins cannot:
- Add or remove other Community Admins or Property Admins
- Access property-level configuration settings (such as intercom setup)
Unit Admin
Unit Admins manage access for a specific unit or set of units β most commonly used in commercial buildings where a business office manager needs to control access for their own suite.
Unit Admins can:
- Add and remove tenants within their assigned unit(s)
- Create and manage Visitor Passes for their unit
- View entry logs for their unit
- Send messages to members of their assigned unit(s)
- Update their unit's directory information
Unit Admins cannot:
- View or manage other units
- Access property-wide settings
- Add or remove Community Admins or Property Admins
- Configure intercom or entry point settings
- View building-wide access logs
π‘ Tip: Unit Admin is a great role for commercial properties where individual business tenants need to manage their own space independently.
Front Desk Attendant
Front Desk Attendants work primarily within the Front Desk Station app to manage visitor access and communicate with tenants. This role is ideal for concierge staff, doormen, and security personnel.
Front Desk Attendants can:
- Log in to and use the Front Desk Station app
- Manage visitor access (grant and deny entry)
- Communicate with tenants through the Front Desk Station
- View limited access and visitor information within the Front Desk Station
- Send group messages through the ButterflyMX OS
Front Desk Attendants cannot:
- Manage tenants, units, or admin roles
- Access property-level or unit-level configuration settings
- View full building-wide access logs outside of the Front Desk Station
Role Permissions Summary
| Permission | Property Admin | Community Admin | Unit Admin | Front Desk Attendant |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manage all tenants & units | β | β | πΆ (own unit only) | β |
| Add/remove Property Admins | β | β | β | β |
| Add/remove Community Admins | β | β | β | β |
| Add/remove Unit Admins & Front Desk Attendants | β | β | β | β |
| View property-wide access logs | β | β | β | β |
| View unit-level access logs | β | β | β | β |
| Send building-wide messages | β | β | πΆ (own unit only) | β |
| Manage Visitor Passes | β | β | β | β |
| Configure intercom/entry/building settings | β | β | β | β |
| Access Front Desk Station | β | β | β | β |
πΆ = Limited access (applies only within assigned unit)
Tips for Assigning Roles
- Use the principle of least privilege β give each person only the access they need to do their job.
- Limit Property Admins to essential personnel. Remember, only two are allowed per property.
- Use Front Desk Attendant (not Community Admin) for front desk and concierge staff.
- Use Unit Admin for commercial tenants, such as office managers, who need to manage their own suite.
-
Audit admin access regularly and remove access promptly when a staff member leaves.