For a little over a year now, Balaklava Technology Simplified has called 20 Creighton Road in Walkerton home. Now, we’re ready for you to be part of the big reveal. Here are 3 reasons to spend part of your Maundy Thursday in Walkerton at Balaklava Technology Simplified’s Grand Opening. Plus, be one of the first 30 to arrive and you’ll get extra-special swag.

1) Curiosity Killed the Cat

Curiosity may have killed the cat, but for humans, it can be a very good, mind-expanding trait. Research shows that curious folks tend to be happy folks. Why not aim for “higher levels of positive emotions, lower levels of anxiety, more satisfaction with life, and greater psychological well-being”? As Balaklava’s building evolved, you watched excavators dig, foundations poured, and trusses set in place. Now you get a chance to see the finished product!

“We’ve come a long way,” remarks Owner and President Mark Pinder.  “We outgrew our Mildmay space, we were out of parking, office and warehouse space. We’d love for you to tour our new 4,500-square-foot facility. Including the meeting and conference rooms in our high-tech Business Center.”

Go ahead and give in. Head to Balaklava’s Grand Opening on April 17 between 2:00 and 8:00 pm. Need another reason?

One of Balaklava Tech Center's meeting rooms.

During the pandemic, most of us learned how to use Zoom. We made calls to grandma and long-lost pals and, of course, we used it for work. Despite “Zoom fatigue”—and seeing too many coworkers without pants—we all seemed to have survived.

For many, conference calls were more of a staple than the toilet paper we couldn’t seem to get our hands on. And they continue to remain a significant part of your workday. Microsoft’s statistics maintain that in the few years since 2020, the number of work meetings has tripled.

The power of video conferencing is undeniable. These video call platforms save time. They cut costs—think of no longer having to drive two hours out of town for a half-hour consultation or avoiding the need to fly staff from around the globe to one location. And virtual meetings will undoubtedly “increase in demand as hybrid, remote, and global work expand”.

You use them. But do you know how they work?

From a tech point of view, a one-to-one conference call is a relatively simple process.  Add in more than one recipient, however, and the level of difficulty goes way up. Real-time communication and collaboration mean that software applications and coding are necessary. This is a much more complex situation that requires in-depth knowledge, skill, and expertise.

Image by charlesdeluvio on Unsplash.com

It seems that techie words are sprinkled everywhere these days. Some are relatively simple to figure out – such as how digital tokens are called cryptocurrency. Some, however, are complete head-scratchers. Metaverse. Blockchain. Virtual office.

What the heck is a “virtual office”? You hear it advertised at Balaklava’s new facility and possibly wonder, if virtual means “not physically existing as such” then why would you need an invisible office solution? What does someone even do with that?

Let us at Balaklava Technology Simplified explain this type of flexible office space and how we offer it right here in Walkerton.

Although they sound make-believe, a virtual office is a real office in a real building that offers remote working solutions. Basically, it’s a physical workspace providing meeting room rentals and office-related admin support such as mailboxes and a message service.

Here’s how a virtual office benefits your business:

Are you a part of the 86% of Canadians who made a New Year’s resolution?   

Establishing personal growth goals when the clock strikes 12:01 on January 1 is nothing new. The Babylonians started the tradition 4,000 years ago. And you’re not alone if your resolution involves exercising more— according to StatsCan, it’s the most popular choice.

How can Balaklava Technology Simplified help with your intentions for 2025?

Imagine snowflakes the size of baseballs piling up outside. Despite the winter wonderland, you’re comfortable in Lulus, your Yeti tucked into your treadmill’s console, and your Nikes laced and ready to move. Just as you kick it into full gear your right earbud conks out and the left one hurls itself out of your ear canal and slides somewhere far under the machine.

Now imagine your ears free—nothing in them but the gust of speed as you race your way up another incline. Your playlist boosts your mood through speakers you can’t even see. When it offers up a song that isn’t up to tempo, all you need to do is request that it skip forward. As your temperature rises, and the sweat starts to drip, you can simply ask your room’s thermostat to lower. Is the sunlight too bright? Easily lower your automated shades with a simple speech command—or have us pre-set them to track the sun’s movement.

Discover the Impact of These Stunning Displays

Do you remember the last billboard that crossed your path? How about the last video wall? If it was engaging, interactive, or stunningly beautiful, chances are it made a lasting impression. Like most things in life, the key is using it in the right way, for the right reasons, at the right time. Simple, right?

So, why are corporations, government agencies, sports arenas, and community centers using video walls? It’s to get people’s attention. No matter if they’re sharing information, enhancing their brand image, or selling a product or service, the first course of action is to draw attention.

And almost nothing draws attention better than today’s video walls in commercial spaces.

Discover the Impact of These Stunning Displays

Do you remember the last billboard that crossed your path? How about the last video wall? If it was engaging, interactive, or stunningly beautiful, chances are it made a lasting impression. Like most things in life, the key is using it in the right way, for the right reasons, at the right time. Simple, right?

So, why are corporations, government agencies, sports arenas, and community centers using video walls? It’s to get people’s attention. No matter if they’re sharing information, enhancing their brand image, or selling a product or service, the first course of action is to draw attention.

And almost nothing draws attention better than today’s video walls in commercial spaces.

A Well-Designed AV System Transforms Business Operations

In a fast-moving business environment, time is money. The more efficient and productive a workforce is, the greater the business's success. Commercial AV has become one key area businesses are investing in, leveraging technology to boost productivity.

Why commercial AV? 

Businesses have learned over time that the easier and faster communication is for employees and clients, the fewer mistakes are made, leading to smoother processes and reduced costs. Faster turn-around times allow businesses to offer improved products and services, resulting in better revenue and profit opportunities. 

A well-designed AV system can be transformational for business. Continue reading to learn five ways commercial AV makes this possible.

The Best Parties Require Premier Audiovisual Solutions

It’s that time of year when the cauldrons and witches’ brooms come out of closets, ready to make their appearance for the night when the boundaries between the living and the dead become obscure. For some homeowners, that thin line between those with a faint heartbeat and a skeleton of their former selves can be found in their AV technology.

Is your home entertainment near death? Has it lost its appeal because you know it could be so much more? If so, it’s time to step it into gear and revive it. At Balaklava, we’re excited to share the latest smart home technology with homeowners in Waterloo and Southern Ontario, Canada. When combined with state-of-the-art AV, you experience stunning images, detailed sound, and user-friendly platforms that make managing your new system easy and enjoyable. 

Here, we’ll explore some AV systems that are taking center stage as technology advances at a record pace. If your current AV technology is dead or dying, let our AV experts at Balaklava bring it back to life.

Work with Our Team to Enhance and Upgrade Your Home Network!

For homeowners in Kitchener, ON, a reliable home network setup is not just a convenience but a necessity for everything from streaming your favorite shows to working remotely. In the digital age, having a robust and dependable network setup is more important than ever. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or simply want a smooth, uninterrupted online experience, here are some essential tips to ensure your home network is strong and reliable. 

Discover How Smart Light Switches Can Transform Your Home's Ambiance 

Have you ever walked into a room and felt an immediate change? Chances are, the lighting had a big role. Smart lighting can completely transform any space, from setting the perfect mood to creating incredible lighting scenes. But how do you control it? There are multiple ways: with a smart device, your voice, dedicated touchscreens, and, yes, smart light switches. Keep reading to learn how smart light switches can help you achieve the ideal aesthetic for every room in your Collingwood, ON, home.

Audio Quality Leads to Greater Engagement and Enjoyment

In the film Field of Dreams, they say, “If you build it, they will come.” But any arena or stadium management team knows that getting people to come is only half the equation. Delivering positive experiences is how to convince people your facility is worth coming back to again.

Audio quality is a major factor in delivering the high-quality entertainment experience that fans and attendees expect. Is your surround sound system up for the task? Continue reading for a list of must-haves for your stadium or arena surround sound system near Cambridge, Ontario.

Impress Guests with a New, High-Tech Meeting Space

Balaklava is always looking for new ways to add value for our clients. We’re excited to announce the addition of new, high-tech meeting rooms available to rent at our Ontario office! As a brand that delivers clean, cutting-edge technology solutions to nearby businesses, you should expect nothing less from the meeting rooms for rent in Southern Ontario, Canada. Continue reading to learn more about this new offering from Balaklava.

Reduce Energy Consumption and Save Money with Smart Shades

Did you know that, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), approximately 30% of your home's heat is lost through its windows? Additionally, over 75% of the sunlight entering your windows becomes heat. That's a lot of energy! 

Fortunately, there is a way to manage all this energy to reduce cooling costs in the hot days of summer and the cold days of winter. It's called motorized blinds, and it's transforming how homeowners in Blue Mountain, Ontario, improve their energy efficiency and create greener homes. 

Let's see how it's done.

Maintain Your Home’s Aesthetics While Optimizing Images and Sound

Before the advent of home automation, much of our home entertainment was constantly on display. From bookshelf speakers to loudspeakers and flat-panel TVs, we enjoyed brilliant images and sound, but, to some extent, we paid a significant price—the intrusion of technology on our home’s aesthetics.

Interestingly, it’s that same technology that has transformed traditional audio-visual systems. Gone are the TV displays and speakers marring your home’s design. No more searching for the right remote control. Now, you manage your entire system from a touchscreen, and your AV equipment hides from view until it is ready for use.

Let’s explore how to enjoy the best home entertainment while retaining a relaxing environment in your Waterloo, Ontario, home.

Update Your Space with the Latest Design Technology From Balaklava

Landscape lighting is crucial in enhancing the beauty and functionality of your home’s outdoor living space. For homeowners in Kitchener selecting the right lighting can transform your garden, patio, or yard into a stunning nighttime retreat. But with so many options available, how do you choose the right landscape lighting for your home? At Balaklava, we’ll help guide you through the installation process for your home in southern Ontario, Canada.

Complement Your Home’s Security Plan with these Automated Lighting Features

It can be off-putting to come home to a darkened house. Not knowing what’s lurking in the shadows can send shivers down your spine. However, you can end these feelings of mystery and fear by investing in Balaklava’s smart lighting solutions. Continue reading to learn how smart lighting can make your Toronto or Southern Ontario, Canada, home feel safer.

Power Your Home with Sounds That Soothe Using Smart Home Control

Some of today’s smart home solutions can bring a welcome change to Southern Ontario, Canada, residents. Among them is the simplicity and joy that daily music can bring when allowed to flow effortlessly from room to room in your home. Enjoy your favorite melodies as you complete your afternoon chores or sit down to a meal—all with the ease of centralized control and a user-friendly interface.

Continue reading to learn more about the future of home entertainment and how you can enjoy the rhythms of life with multi-room music from Balaklava.

Balaklava Makes Technology Easy

Smart homes offer incredible convenience. Press a button, and your home's lighting and climate align for the occasion while the perfect high-fidelity music streams through your home. Do you want to enjoy a heated spa and your favorite Coldplay songs after work? Pull up an app on your smartphone, press an icon, and arrive at a home prepared for you. Can it get any better?

So, one wonders, why haven't more people embraced this technological wonderland? 

The key lies in that one word: "technology." Too often, they've been promised an easier lifestyle only to find technology getting in the way, taking more time and causing more headaches than the outcome is worth. 

That's where Balaklava comes in. 

You've undoubtedly come across our name if you've Googled "Home Automation Company Near Me" in Cambridge, Ontario. You'll also come across our tagline, "Technology Simplified." We believe the ultimate smart home is defined by its beauty, incredible entertainment, and ease of living. 

Let's discover how you can enjoy the best in effortless smart home living.

How Controlled Light Can Help You Energize, Focus, and Relax

Did you know that light is more than just a basic utility? It’s actually a critical element of the environment that can influence your mood, productivity, and all-around wellness. With the introduction of modern lighting control systems, such as Lutron and Vantage, you now have the option to light your home in a way that can significantly boost your health. Continue reading to explore the healthy benefits of installing a lighting control system in your Southern Ontario home.

Transform your space with automated shades!

Natural light impacts our lives, influencing mood, productivity, and overall well-being. Harnessing natural light is essential in Kitchener, Ontario, where winters can be long and dreary. Fortunately, with advancements in home automation technology, achieving the perfect balance of natural light and privacy has never been easier. Motorized shades can transform your Kitchener home, enhancing its ambiance while maximizing the benefits of natural light. 

At Balaklava, we specialize in home automation and controls, including motorized shades and window treatments. With our focus on innovation and customer satisfaction, we offer customizable solutions to optimize the light in your home!