Discover What Smart Homes Are Made Of!

As smart home technology goes mainstream, homeowners are exploring the immense possibilities, often one step at a time. They may start with a smart lightbulb before adding a smart thermostat and, eventually, a smart oven. These devices provide convenience, letting users control them via their smartphones.

They are, however, far different than a home automation system. 

As a home automation company serving Chicago, IL, for almost 60 years, we’ve witnessed incredible technological advancements. Today’s smart home is an ecosystem of integrated systems and devices working together to create the ideal environment, perform everyday tasks, and enhance a home’s beauty.

Let’s explore the many devices and components in home automation and how they come together to create a lifestyle once unimaginable.

Barrett’s Is Here For Forward-Thinking Homeowners

The concept of a smart home has been around for decades, but the futuristic idea of robot-powered homes is off the mark. Instead, a modern smart home offers incredible convenience for everyday living, saving time, adding style, reducing stress, and more, with the simple press of a button or a voice command. 

Below, you’ll discover how working with a premier home automation company like Barrett’s can transform your Lincoln Park, IL, lifestyle. Keep reading for more.

Chicago’s Leading Home Automation Company Has a Fresh, New Web Presence

Remember the Yellow Pages? The directory was once an all-important presence for local businesses to be found. If you needed a plumber, heating system repair, or just about anything else, the Yellow Pages was the place to look. And if you remember them, you know how many local businesses called themselves AAA plumbing or ABC Auto Repair to be listed at the beginning of them, with flashy full-page ads.

That world, of course, has changed. Today, an internet presence in the form of a website is a critical marketing card for any company. On the internet, you'll never be found by changing your name to AAAA Home Technology. Instead, you will be recognized by the quality of the content you put on your website and by continually updating it with fresh, useful information that helps people decide to contact you for your services.

In that vein, that’s why Barrett’s Technology Solutions – one of Chicago's premier home automation companies – has totally revamped our website. While our old website was extensive, the new design, layout, and richer graphics enable us to tell our story better. And with this change, we’ve also updated our web domain name – we are now Barretts.tech. The new URL, changing from Barretts.tv, better reflects our focus on all things home technology. 

Keep reading below to learn more about our new website. Please check it out, peruse our new look, and reach out with any questions!

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!

Barrett’s Technology Solutions Is Proud to Serve Lake Geneva

In the home technology business, while most integrators are local, some will go well beyond their home geographies to serve their clients. Barrett’s Technology Solutions is no exception, as we have served clients outside of the greater Chicagoland area for many years as we have evolved to best meet their needs.

As one of the Midwest’s leading AV technology and home automation companies, we’re thrilled to announce that we have opened a local office to serve customers in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Lake Geneva has always been a great vacation destination for Chicagoans over the years, and we’re proud to have developed deep relationships with homeowners and trade partners there. Read below to learn more about our new Lake Geneva outpost!

Reason 1: Do You Want Home Automation That Works? 

The title is only a bit facetious, but there are many, many home automation options in the market. You only need to look in Home Depot, Best Buy, and Amazon to find a wide range of smart home devices from a plethora of vendors, with most of them tying into the platform umbrellas of the world’s largest tech companies.  

So, what’s wrong with that? Nothing, many of those devices are brilliant products. But what happens when you try to put together a complete smart home using these devices and platforms? It can get surprisingly complicated. Think about your laptop or desktop computer. You probably know how to maintain it and keep it updated and running relatively smoothly. What if you had a whole department full of them to manage? That's what IT departments or outside services tend to do, so employees don't have to spend time worrying about the technology they use. 

The concept is the same for a smart home. If you want to be your own integrator, you may be happy with DIY solutions. If you need a Chicago, IL smart home that just works – so you don’t have to be the IT department – you might consider an experienced home automation company like Barrett’s Technology Solutions. Explore why below! 

Our Reimagined Website Is Just One Way We Continue to Move Forward 

At Barrett’s Technology Solutions, we’ve been in business since 1966. As you might expect, there have been many changes in our business since that time. Audio, video, and automation technology have changed radically, and our firm has evolved with it. Our goal is to continue to be the best home automation company in the Chicago area and through our new office in Lake Geneva, WI.  

This month, we’d like to give you a taste of what’s to come for Barrett’s Technology Solutions. Chief among them is a new website that will launch soon, and we can’t wait for you to see it. Why a new website? It’s all about effectively communicating what we can do so we can better serve our clients. Keep reading to learn more!