Remotely the best intercom solution: Reliable, secure and durable

Moreover, the solutions require very little to no maintenance. "Except for the power supply to the housing, wiring is not necessary," says Marketing Manager Benelux Edwin van Reijsen. "This can save an awful lot of time and money! Especially when you also include related issues such as breakdowns, maintenance, on-site repair/adjustments and associated car trips. In combination with a European production, easy remote management, high reliability and long service life, we can confidently say that 'Intratone is here to stay'."

Intratone is a brand of Cogelec and originated in France. "Cogelec was founded in 2000, as a manufacturer of intercoms and access control solutions in collective housing," Van Reijsen says. 

"In recent years, the Vendée-based company, near Nantes, has come up with numerous innovative solutions and filed more than 40 patents. A great example of this is Vigik^®, which allows postal workers to access sec the halls of buildings to deliver their mail. There was also a demand from the French government to make large residential complexes accessible to emergency services (fire, police and ambulance). Again, Cogelec developed a technique for this, which has been at the base of the Intratone systems." 

The products are still produced in France, he says. "So no costly transports from China, but local production and supply of materials."

By far Intratone's largest target market is owner associations and housing corporations. Not surprising, according to Van Reijsen, because the intercom system is an essential part of their residential buildings. "On average, an intercom system has a lifespan of 15 years. The demand for replacement systems is currently high. Here people are actively looking for solutions that can be managed from a central location. For example, with our modular DINA intercom system and our RENO renovation intercom, we respond perfectly to this. If desired, the systems can be expanded with a digital information board, on which remote (interactive) communication with residents can take place."

High quality and stable GSM connection 

Distinctive about Intratone's systems is the use of the cell phone network. "We place a highly resistant intercom system with SIM card on the facade, which connects to the electronic locking system of the entrance door," says Van Reijsen. "As a result, users are no longer dependent on wiring or local wireless Wi-Fi or Bluetooth networks. The GSM network guarantees a high-quality, stable and wireless connection from smartphone to intercom and vice versa. Via the Intratone App, video can also be linked to this. However, communication via a landline and the intercom system is also possible. In advance, all names and phone numbers are pre-programmed by us, so the system can be put into operation immediately. An indoor station in the home is not required. This results in security and convenience for residents and managers, as well as huge savings on materials."

Easy remote management

Access management is easily done through a secure online management platform on the desktop, tablet or even the smartphone. 

"On the management platform, property managers can easily add and remove users at will, as well as build in time locks for specific users, such as caretakers. It is also possible to make company names visible on the display units during the day, while after 5 p.m. the names of private individuals are shown. In this way we meet the (mandatory) home working trend, without the housing manager having to visit the physical location to do so. In this way, we contribute to high resident satisfaction, while reducing CO₂-footprint is minimized."