Aldridge Blog
Quick reads to improve your IT strategy
Most Recent Posts
Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) vs. Traditional Network Ownership
Why IT Leaders Are Rethinking Network Ownership For decades, IT leaders have defaulted to the same model for network infrastructure: purchase the hardware, deploy it, and maintain it until the next refresh cycle forces another round of upgrades. It’s familiar, but...
Microsoft Teams Is Adding Built-In Security in 2026: What That Means for Your Business
Microsoft is making Microsoft Teams safer by default, and most organizations will start seeing these changes in January 2026. Beginning January 12, 2026, Microsoft will automatically turn on new safety features in Teams for companies using standard settings. The goal...
7 Key Takeaways from Microsoft Ignite 2025
Microsoft Ignite 2025 made one thing very clear: the future of work is no longer built only for large enterprises with massive IT teams. Microsoft’s latest announcements focused heavily on making AI, security, and modernization accessible, practical, and manageable...
5 IT Issues That Cost Manufacturers the Most
In manufacturing, every minute matters. When a CNC machine sits idle, when your ERP system freezes mid-job ticket, or when your operators are staring at a blue screen instead of a work queue—it’s not just frustrating. It’s expensive. 5 IT Issues That Cost...
Aldridge Named to 2025 MSP 501 List of Top IT Providers
HOUSTON, TX – July 1, 2025 — Aldridge has been named one of the world’s top-performing managed service providers (MSPs), earning a place on the 2025 Channel Partners MSP 501—the IT industry’s most respected list of high-performing MSPs across the globe. Now in its...
The Hidden Cybersecurity Risks Inside Your Factory Walls
When you think about cybersecurity, you probably picture hackers targeting office emails or stealing customer data. But in manufacturing, cyber threats don’t just put your data at risk—they can shut down your entire production line. Your factory floor is full of...
How IT and Cybersecurity Help Manufacturers Save Money
Margins are tight. Labor is scarce. And every delay, mistake, or outage cuts directly into your bottom line. For most manufacturers, IT is seen as a cost center—a necessary evil to keep the line moving. But when done right, IT and cybersecurity aren’t just operational...
How Aldridge Responded to a Supply Chain Attack
In late June 2025, security researchers uncovered a sophisticated supply chain attack targeting ConnectWise’s ScreenConnect platform. Threat actors abused a technique known as Authenticode stuffing to disguise malware as a trusted, digitally signed component of a...
How One Manufacturer Cut IT Server Costs by 400%
A growing U.S. manufacturer was operating on an aging, overly complex IT environment managed by a single internal engineer. Over time, unmanaged growth led to server sprawl, rising costs, and increased risk, with little documentation or oversight. When a new CFO...
Top Attack of 2025: 3rd-Party Account Compromise
Organizations are investing heavily in technical safeguards, user training, and layered security strategies. That’s a good thing. But as your defenses improve, attackers are adapting. In 2025, the leading tactic we’re seeing isn’t about breaking into your systems...
It Security
Unlocking AI for Small Businesses: Insights from Microsoft Ignite 2025
Artificial Intelligence is transforming how small businesses work, but true success starts with having the right technology, security, and governance in place. If you're beginning to explore AI tools and want to ensure your environment is secure, compliant, and ready...
Should You Pay the Ransom During a Cyberattack?
When ransomware hits, one of the most critical and controversial questions you’ll face is whether or not to pay the ransom. It’s a decision that sparks strong opinions, especially in the headlines. But for the companies actually living through an attack, the answer is...
Aldridge Appoints AJ Adade as Director of Professional Services to Drive Operational Excellence
Houston, TX – November 12, 2025 – Aldridge, a leading provider of managed IT and cybersecurity services, has appointed AJ Adade as Director of Professional Services. AJ joined the Aldridge leadership team in August, bringing over 20 years of experience guiding...
Microsoft 365
The Latest Wave of Microsoft Copilot
Microsoft continues to push the boundaries of AI-powered productivity with its latest updates to Microsoft 365 Copilot. With over 150 new features and 700+ product updates this year, Microsoft has been focused on addressing the challenges many of us face in our daily...
5 Advanced Excel Functions You Should Know
Excel is helpful for payroll analysis by leveraging powerful functions like SUM, SUBTOTAL, SUMIF, COUNTIF, and XLOOKUP. These formulas can help you analyze employee payroll data efficiently, even if you're starting from scratch or managing a simple spreadsheet. ...
Quick Financial Forecasting in Excel
Forecasting is a critical aspect of financial planning and analysis, enabling businesses to anticipate future trends based on historical data. Excel's built-in forecasting tools make this process more accessible and efficient. What is the Forecast Sheet Feature? ...
It Consulting
Why IT Leaders Are Moving to Network-as-a-Service (NaaS)
Every IT leader knows network hardware has a shelf life. But the real pain point isn’t just replacement, it’s the capital outlay, lifecycle management, and operational overhead that come with traditional network ownership. Between procurement cycles, firmware...
Microsoft Teams Is Adding Built-In Security in 2026: What That Means for Your Business
Microsoft is making Microsoft Teams safer by default, and most organizations will start seeing these changes in January 2026. Beginning January 12, 2026, Microsoft will automatically turn on new safety features in Teams for companies using standard settings. The goal...
Don’t Miss Our Most Popular Articles
Unlocking AI for Small Businesses: Insights from Microsoft Ignite 2025
Artificial Intelligence is transforming how small businesses work, but true success starts with having the right technology, security, and governance in place. If you're beginning to explore AI tools and want to ensure your environment is secure, compliant, and ready...
Should You Pay the Ransom During a Cyberattack?
When ransomware hits, one of the most critical and controversial questions you’ll face is whether or not to pay the ransom. It’s a decision that sparks strong opinions, especially in the headlines. But for the companies actually living through an attack, the answer is...
Aldridge Appoints AJ Adade as Director of Professional Services to Drive Operational Excellence
Houston, TX – November 12, 2025 – Aldridge, a leading provider of managed IT and cybersecurity services, has appointed AJ Adade as Director of Professional Services. AJ joined the Aldridge leadership team in August, bringing over 20 years of experience guiding...