Dave Aldridge, a hobbyist programmer, was quick to recognize the transformative potential of computers in business. He saw that while computers could handle complex and time-consuming tasks, most companies lacked the expertise to take advantage of them.

His solution was PreCursor, a program that added a user-friendly interface to computers. Instead of memorizing and typing complex commands, users could accomplish tasks with a simple click.

Dave introduced PreCursor to his network, and it was a hit—empowering non-technical workers to leverage computers for the first time. Encouraged by its success, he transformed his hobby into a business and founded The Aldridge Company.

Dave recruited his wife, Valerie, to help run the new software company. Valerie handled operations, while Dave focused on developing new products. He saw how people struggled with computers—their inefficiencies, complexities, and the need for simpler solutions. Driven to address these challenges, he created programs that turned highly technical workflows into simple actions anyone could perform. 

Aldridge was successfully launching new products and making computers more practical for everyday business use. But as the technology landscape shifted in the early ‘90s, Aldridge saw an opportunity to do something even more impactful—help businesses take full advantage of the powerful tools being developed by industry leaders like Microsoft. 

When Microsoft launched Windows 95 and a suite of business applications that redefined how people worked, Aldridge didn’t hesitate. The company saw a new wave of innovation and leaned in.

Aldridge recognized it could make a greater impact by helping businesses adopt emerging technologies. Rather than continuing to build standalone software, Aldridge shifted its focus to helping clients unlock the full potential of technology to work smarter and accomplish more.

At the same time, Chad Hiatt—working under the banner of Active Computer, which would later merge with Aldridge—was helping businesses adopt technologies most wouldn’t embrace for another decade. He built custom tools that enabled companies to manage customer relationships and optimize inventory, using technology to drive smarter decisions long before it became the norm.

This shared belief in using technology to drive operations became the foundation for Aldridge’s next chapter—positioning the company to lead clients into the era of the internet.

To help clients prepare for the internet era, Aldridge expanded into computer networking. The company quickly uncovered a flaw in how early networks were built and earned a reputation for improving uptime and performance through smarter infrastructure design.

As demand for internet access surged, Aldridge expanded its capabilities and became a true Internet Service Provider (ISP), offering everything from dial-up and ISDN to T1 and T3 connections. 

Now, Aldridge wasn’t just building networks—it was delivering the internet that powered them. With the launch of its own data center, Aldridge became a one-stop shop: network services, email hosting, website hosting, and e-commerce platforms. Aldridge supported more than 5,000 businesses with the expertise and technology they needed to grow in the booming dot-com era. 

Aldridge earned clients’ trust by supporting the IT infrastructure their businesses relied on. When critical IT systems failed, even those Aldridge hadn’t provided, clients turned to Aldridge for help. 

The company was no longer just a vendor but a trusted partner clients could rely on during a crisis. More and more hosting clients sought IT support, and Aldridge was always ready to assist, whether troubleshooting over the phone or sending a technician on-site to get them up and running again. 

Aldridge leaned into the growing demand for IT support. The company built a dedicated support team and introduced what is now called break-fix IT support. The model was straightforward: clients only paid for help when something broke. It was a simple, reactive approach that fit the era, but it had a major flaw. Without regular maintenance and system upgrades, minor issues often spiraled into emergencies.  

Aldridge saw the need for a better way to deliver IT, one that prevented problems before they happened. 

Aldridge support technician Patrick Wiley figured out a better way to deliver IT—one that focused on preventing issues rather than reacting to them. Aldridge adopted a flat-fee Managed Services model that prioritized stability, long-term planning, and a shared commitment to keeping systems running without interruption. 

The shift created real benefits for clients. With predictable IT costs and fewer disruptions, they could operate more efficiently and focus on growing their business. 

More importantly, this approach reshaped how Aldridge worked with clients. Supporting systems proactively meant understanding each client’s business—how their teams worked, where they were headed, and what their biggest risks were. 

Aldridge worked more closely with client leadership, aligning IT with their business goals and reducing their risk. The company evolved from a service provider into a strategic partner—and built a scalable model for long-term growth. 

As the Managed Services model gained traction, Aldridge saw an opportunity to scale. The IT services industry was highly fragmented, with many small providers still operating under outdated, reactive models. 

Aldridge began acquiring IT firms and building a stronger, more capable team. Each acquisition brought in experienced professionals who continued serving their clients—now backed by Aldridge’s greater resources and expertise. 

With Patrick Wiley stepping up to lead the company, Aldridge sharpened its focus on growth and helping clients stay ahead in a rapidly evolving technology landscape.

As public cloud platforms like Azure emerged, Aldridge saw an opportunity to help clients modernize their IT and take advantage of this new kind of infrastructure. These platforms offered scale and flexibility that traditional private hosting couldn’t match.

While Aldridge had long maintained its own private datacenter, it became clear that clients would benefit by migrating to the cloud. The team shifted focus—moving from hosting to helping clients adopt public cloud platforms that enabled reliable access from anywhere. Aldridge built environments where teams could work just as effectively remotely as they could in the office, unlocking the full potential of the cloud.

But with greater connectivity came greater risk. The next challenge wasn’t just enabling the future—it was protecting it.

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When the COVID-19 pandemic pushed businesses to work remotely, the threat landscape shifted almost overnight. Basic protections like antivirus and multi-factor authentication were no longer enough. 

Aldridge responded by helping clients understand emerging risks, their business impact, and how to stay protected. Its approach is holistic and risk-based—focused on protecting what matters most while balancing cost and convenience.

To support that mission, Aldridge launched a full suite of cybersecurity services tailored to each client’s needs—whether they were just beginning to address security or operating in tightly regulated industries. This shift not only reinforced existing partnerships but also attracted larger organizations seeking a strategic partner to guide their security journey

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As Aldridge began working with larger, more complex organizations through its security practice, it became clear that not every business needed fully managed IT services—but many still needed a partner. 

To meet that need, Aldridge introduced Co-Managed IT—an offering that extends its tools, resources, and expertise to businesses with internal IT teams. It’s designed to complement in-house capabilities by filling skill gaps, supporting strategic initiatives, and expanding coverage where it’s needed most. 

This approach also changed how Aldridge supports long-term clients. In the past, as companies grew, Aldridge often helped them build internal IT teams and transition off fully managed services. Those partnerships would typically end there. With Co-Managed IT, Aldridge can continue supporting these clients by shifting to a more flexible role—providing only what’s needed as their internal capabilities mature.

It’s a flexible model that evolves with clients and ensures Aldridge remains a valuable partner as they grow. 

Aldridge has continued to help businesses navigate a rapidly changing technology landscape. Just as we guided companies through the rise of computers and the internet, we’ve helped them embrace the cloud, strengthen cybersecurity, and harness modern technology to grow. Through every major shift, we’ve kept our clients ahead of emerging risks while positioning them to seize new opportunities. 

For over 40 years, we’ve stayed true to our mission—helping people leverage new technology to work smarter so their organizations can accomplish more. Along the way, we’ve built a culture of problem solvers—people who are passionate about using technology to overcome challenges. That shared drive has shaped Aldridge into what it is today: a team built on curiosity and a relentless commitment to client success. 

Looking ahead, we’re continuing to grow and evolve, helping businesses embrace the future of technology. Whether you’re an IT provider looking to join forces, a problem-solver eager to support our mission, or a business seeking a forward-thinking partner to manage your IT and cybersecurity, there’s a place for you at Aldridge. If you’re building for the future, we want to work with you.