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.

Save your conference room from becoming a tech nightmare

Gone are the days when conference rooms were just tables and chairs. Today, they are equipped with advanced technology devices that facilitate communication, sharing of ideas, and collaboration among team members that may be spread across different geographical regions. An audio-video system plays a vital role in this. From giving presentations and brainstorming to connecting with remote clients and employees, the AV system is integral to a variety of tasks and processes in a modern conference room.

However, not all businesses in Toronto, Ontario, get the best out of their AV equipment. Let’s quickly go over the AV system components and discuss a few common mistakes in DIY projects.