Shane Allen is a technician at Benchmark Technology Solutions, which opened this season in the lower level of the Colonnade. (Saalik Khan | Staff Photographer)
Technology has moved underground at Chautauqua Institution.
With the opening of Benchmark Technology Solutions in the lower level of the Colonnade at the beginning of the season, Chautauquans are able to troubleshoot and test technology for the first time without leaving the grounds.
“We’re here to provide a service that everybody’s looking for: computer repairs, cellphone repairs, rentals, accessories, computers — all that good stuff,” said Shane Allen, a technician at Benchmark. “If they need it done, we can do it for them.”
Allen and owner Bob Klemm are both tasked with fulfilling the role of technicians on the two-person staff for those needing assistance with troubleshooting technology.
Benchmark provides tune-ups, clean sweeps, virus removal, installation of virus prevention software, data transfer, hard drive replacement and screen replacement on PCs, Macs and smartphones. The store also sells chargers, cables and other accessories for computers.
The store’s technicians are also available for in-home visits to fix technology-related issues on weekends and afternoons.
“People will call us to their house for anything under the sun, from us hooking up a printer to fixing their computer, fixing their Internet connection, even calling their Internet service provider to get some answers — that’s by far the most popular,” Allen said.
Those visiting Chautauqua for a short stay, or those who need a computer temporarily can rent laptops starting at $45 for one to three days of use and $80 for up to one week of use.
Customers can also utilize a fax, printing and scanning service. The price-per-page starts at $1 but decreases as the page count increases. A copy DVD service is also available for a starting price $5 per disc.
Used monitors and PCs, which have been completely refurbished and equipped with Windows 7 operating systems, are available for purchase as well as new laptops and printers.
Those interested in learning more about technology they own, or are interested in purchasing, can take private lessons in Microsoft Office and iPad and iPhone basics. The store also has a hand in technology special studies classes offered that cover PC operating systems, iPhone and iPad tutorials, 3-D printing and robotics.
This will be the store’s fifth week open in Chautauqua, and Allen said it has received great reception from the community so far.
“There’s been a lot of people down here,” Allen said. “A lot of people are saying good things about it. We’ve done a ton of service calls, walking to people’s houses to fix their things there and down here. We’re really here to make sure that whoever comes down is satisfied. If someone’s not satisfied, we’ll work to make sure that they’re completely satisfied.”
Benchmark Technology Solutions is located off Ames in the Colonnade. The store’s hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Those interested more in learning more about Benchmark Technology Solutions’ services can visit their website, benchmarkchaut.com, send an email to service@benchmarkchaut.com or call 716-357-6426.
The Chautauquan Daily 
