Enjoy the Fresh Air and Enhance Your Property’s Value    

With all the time you’ve likely spent at home lately, the changes of scenery we might have taken for granted from activities like eating out or the movie theater seem like exciting things to look forward to again. The time will come soon.

In the meantime, staying at home can still be lots of fun, especially with the right upgrades. We don't mean to minimize the health crisis in the least, but all the time at home likely makes you notice things that can be improved. One area that we think adds both great fun factor and value is outdoor entertainment. With an outdoor speaker system, TVs, and smart control, you can turn your Chicago home patio, garden, or backyards into an entertainment oasis. Not only will it give you a much-needed change of pace from the indoors, but it will also add value to your property and the "wow" factor for entertaining.

Read on for some of our favorite outdoor entertainment upgrades.

Smart Technology Sweats the Routines While You Juggle Work, School, and Entertainment

With social distancing and restrictions an unfortunate reality of current life for some time, stress is on the rise. Home has always been many things, but now home is the center for work, school, and entertainment as outside options are curtailed.

With the whole family in the house – including perhaps your college-age child unexpectedly back home –  life at home is busier and needs to balance multiple priorities for everyone at the same time.

With all that is going on, why not let smart technology take a bit of the load off? Here are some tips on how a Savant home automation system can sweat the small stuff in your Chicago, IL home while you focus on more important things.

More Often than Not, It Pays to Hire an Expert

Smart devices and home automation products are everywhere these days. The success of smart assistant platforms like Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple's Homekit has certainly popularized Jetsons-style futuristic control over many home features, especially thermostats, lighting, and audio entertainment. There’s no shortage of smart lights, cameras, locks, thermostats, and more.

Can you build an automated home using consumer DIY products found at your local electronics store? The short answer is yes; you can automate your home using some of these products. The real question is, what do you consider an automated home to be?

With some DIY products, you might end up with a collection of smart devices that don't always work in harmony. You could end up with many devices that you can control remotely via voice and smartphone, but the sum of them add up to something less than an automated home.

So, should you hire a professional home automation company (like Barretts Technology Solutions) to make your home smart? Of course, we’ll make the case below. Keep reading!

These Signs May Indicate You Need a Network Upgrade

These days, connectivity is a must-have utility, right up there with electricity. Our connected world is dependent on the internet for most day to day activities, whether it’s’ work, school, or entertainment.

When your apps or computers aren’t behaving as you expect, it’s often challenging to figure out what’s wrong. Is it the software, the hardware, or a connectivity issue? There is the tried-and-true method of restarting devices that often cures many ills, but frequent problems point to something else – and sometimes it’s your network that’s failing you.

How do you determine if you’re having home networking problems in your Chicago, IL home? Read on for three telltale signs.