HARDWARE
HOW DOES GSM TECHNOLOGY
APPLY TO PROPERTY
MANAGEMENT?
By implementing SIM cards and GSM
capabilities into access control systems, both
residents and property professionals can
benefit from more streamlined, intuitive block
management – allowing property access to
be granted via mobile phone calls, no matter
where they are. As an alternative to the more
traditional radio-frequency technology, which
is reliant on the distance between the device
and the handset, GSM technology’s unlimited
range makes property management infinitely
more practical.
As no wires or physical handsets are
required, GSM technology is ideal for retrofit
installations. Plus, GSM-enabled access
devices benefit from a much faster installation
with minimal disturbance to residents, as there
is no need to enter each individual property to
connect receivers or handsets. With minimal
hardware and innovative software, there is
also little need for ongoing maintenance,
and many issues can be fixed remotely by the
manufacturer.
GSM technology can also be linked to
existing remote or off-site management
systems, allowing property professionals to
oversee all access to the block from their own
office or place of work. As such, property
professionals can carry out day-to-day
administration tasks, such as making realtime
changes to key fobs, flat numbers and
tenant information, in a more streamlined
and efficient way, primarily as no site visits are
required. In addition, GSM technology can
also link a variety of other support systems
and accessories such as digital noticeboards
in communal areas and key cabinets, again,
streamlining workloads.
‘residents can choose
what device they want to
use to answer the door’
LASTING BENEFITS
FOR RESIDENTS
It’s important to consider the impact on
residents too during digitalisation. GSMbased
devices ensure that access control is
as easy and intuitive to operate as possible.
Tenants can control access to their property
no matter where they are in their home, or
indeed the world, via their smartphone or
tablet. This has a number of advantages from a
security standpoint, as GSM intercom systems
can help make it appear as if there is always
someone at home and, if a video intercom is
used, they allow tenants to see who exactly is
at the door.
Another advantage of GSM intercoms is
improved accessibility. It can be stressful and
inconvenient for those with restricted mobility
such as the elderly, or those with a disability,
to answer the door if they need to reach a fixed
handset on the wall. Instead of the one-sizefits-all
solution of a built-in handset, with
GSM-based systems residents can choose what
device they want to use to answer the door. It
also allows residents to grant property access
without having to move.
SMARTER WAYS OF WORKING
For property professionals, GSMenabled
access devices have the potential to
revolutionise current processes and working
practices. The flexibility of the technology,
and the lack of handsets, wires and physical
infrastructure, ensures adaptability for any
future building renovations, as well as the
regular ebb and flow of residents and their
evolving needs.
Compared to traditional wired access
control systems, GSM technology enables each
intercom or access device to be automatically
updated, which significantly cuts both admin
and maintenance time. The lack of wires and
cables also enhances safety, reduces waste, and
saves time and resources, while also ensuring
that resident disturbance is kept at an absolute
minimum. Plus, there’s no need to change the
locks for the inevitable lost keys.
As property professionals can control
and manage building access remotely, the
requirement for time-consuming site visits
is considerably reduced. There’s no need to
be on-site to grant access to contractors or
share a mechanical key – even if the property
management office is located several miles
away from the building itself, access can still
be controlled quickly and efficiently. Plus, by
connecting GSM-based devices to a holistic
and secure online management system, even
more processes can be done remotely, and
in real-time: for example, making changes
to residency access, adding new users to
the network, or changing key fob details.
You can even see when a user tries to enter
with a previously cancelled key fob. While
the technology is relatively straightforward
in terms of installation and ease of use, the
impact for property professionals is not to be
underestimated.
Intratone creates market-leading GSMbased
access control solutions, allowing
property professionals to take back control
of security, costs and their time. Discover
more at www.intratone.uk.com, or email the
team today on info@intratone.uk.com to
find out more.
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