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June 12, 2013

Ringo – Intelligent Building Buzzers

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Ringo is a tool that people who live in apartments and condos with gated-entries can use to make their intercom systems smarter. The web-based platform integrates seamlessly with most building intercoms and buzzer systems, letting users control which of their phones ring whenever a guest arrives.

If you live a building with an intercom system that is able to dial out to a telephone number, then there’s a good chance you’ll be able to connect your buzzer to Ringo. When you sign up for an account, Ringo gives you a local phone number to connect to your intercom system. Once you’ve connected your intercom with the new number, you’ll have total freedom to set up an entry system that fits your lifestyle. Utilize Forwarding Mode to ring multiple numbers (like your cell phone and landline) each time someone buzzes your door, or Gatekeeper Mode to create a PIN-based keyless security system that friends and family can use to get into your apartment when you’re not at home. Concierge Mode lets you enable both features at once. Guests who buzz your apartment will be asked to enter your PIN. If they don’t know it, the system will automatically ring all your phone numbers and you can unlock the front door even when you’re not at home.

In addition to its basic features, Ringo also send SMS notifications whenever a buzzer is unlocked using an entry code. You can even set up the system to let you know when an incorrect PIN has been entered, for an added level of privacy and security.

Practical Uses:

  • Give your best friend the PIN to get into your apartment building
  • Save money by getting rid of your landline telephone
  • Find out when someone has tried to access your condo
  • Create an entryless key system for your building

Insider Tips:

  • Customize your options to get notifications whenever an incorrect PIN has been entered
  • Ringo uses Heroku for call routing
  • Users can create up to five PIN codes
  • Ringo has partnered with Stripe for payment processing

What we liked:

  • Ringo integrates with most telephone-based intercom systems
  • Users can get local phone numbers across North America
  • New phone numbers can quickly be added to a system through the user dashboard
  • People can test the system out on their own intercoms for free during the 30-day trial

What we didn’t like:

  • Ringo doesn’t work with closed-loop systems

Alternatives:

  • None

Company Info:

  • Launched: 2013
  • Privately Held
  • Headquarters: Ottawa, Canada
  • Founded by: Josh Mahonin
  • Web site: https://www.tryringo.com

Costs:

  • Free trial
  • $3.99 per month

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