'Nice, clean, easy and no impact when renovated'

An intercom system custom-made and attached to the front door. It looks neat and tidy, according to Marketing Manager Edwin van Reijsen at Intratone. "Like a neatly raked English garden, where the architect is and remains in control."

Intratone is a manufacturer of intercoms and access systems. Van Reijsen: "We want to be at the table with architects at an early stage when it comes to new construction and renovation. You are always looking for sustainable solutions, where in the case of renovation, the permitted materials are limited. You then want to keep the building intact as much as possible and in addition, old buildings often have to deal with vermin, which like to nibble at vulnerable cables. Wiring is a thing of the past with us." 

Intratone provides remote access of buildings. "Based on GSM technology, we offer a sustainable and innovative solution that is easy to install and pleasant to use. Within one day, our system is ready to use. With the GSM network, all wifi and bluetooth connections are redundant; you communicate with your smartphone, but also with a landline phone. Security is greatly enhanced. It's similar to Amazon's the ring, only complete for buildings."

The many mutations in buildings are easy to make. "People who move, start their own business or want a different name on their front door display. Normally the manager may come to the building, now he arranges access management online. It eliminates large signs with names taped on them. Just a single sign with digital displays that looks neat day and night."

Intratone is an A-brand and part of the French company Cogelec and has been active with intercom systems for more than twenty years. Van Reijsen: "The architect wants to keep the entrance hall of a building tidy, which is why we developed Dynacreate; a digital nameplate that is modularly expandable with, for example, a block for video, a section with a keyboard or a card reader. It gives the freedom to customize the system entirely as you wish. We introduce a new application every seven months. A recent example is the Info-display; a module that not only communicates announcements, but asks residents to vote on topics or questions if the hallway should be painted green or yellow. With his electronic key, the resident makes his preference known."

Van Reijsen: "When it comes to expanding applications, the architect is now always in control. It is many times cheaper than building something new. Then it also looks neat. And, if it's sustainable, then it's extra profit. Based on cell phone technology, there are plenty of possibilities in the future. Think of some kind of telltale system that transmits essential information about, for example, smoke detectors, water heaters or all applications that fit within home automation such as entrance doors and lighting. It is impossible to imagine our daily lives without the smartphone. The French do that damn well. I think it is one of the most innovative countries in the world and Intratone in particular; with a vision that I understand and appeals enormously to me and the architect."