Alex Custom Tech Blogs

Blog Post: AI PCs: The New Computer Era — Hype or Real Change? Author: Alex Hutchinson | Act on Tech / Alex Custom Tech AI PCs are suddenly everywhere. Microsoft is talking about them. Hardware vendors are rebranding laptops overnight. And if you’ve shopped for a new computer recently, you’ve probably seen the words “AI-powered” slapped on just about everything. So the real question is this: Are AI PCs actually a new era of computing—or just another marketing cycle? Let’s bre

Blog Post: Building Your Tech Stack: Start Smart, Stay Scalable Author: Alex Hutchinson | Act on Tech / Alex Custom Tech When it comes to running a small business in today's world, having the right tech stack isn't optional—it's essential. In the latest Act on Tech episode, I broke down what a tech stack actually is, why it matters, and how to build one that grows with your business instead of against it. What Is a Tech Stack, Really? Think of your tech stack as the set of to

Blog Post: Human‑First Cybersecurity: Why Your Staff Beat Any Firewall Author: Alex Hutchinson | Act on Tech / Alex Custom Tech Introduction: The Real Front Line Isn’t a Device Last year, 82 % of confirmed breaches had something in common: a human made a split‑second decision that opened the door.¹ Hackers bank on curiosity, fatigue, or simple habit more than any zero‑day exploit. That’s why the smartest investment a business can make isn’t yet another blinking box; it’s peop

Blog Post: Life After Windows — Exploring Linux and the Future of Business Computing Author: Alex Hutchinson | Act on Tech / Alex Custom Tech Introduction Microsoft’s Windows operating system has been the cornerstone of business computing for decades, but with the release of Windows 11, many in the tech community have started to question the direction Microsoft is taking. Between stricter hardware requirements, forced TPM 2.0 support, and deeper cloud integration, some users

Blog Post: Partnering With AI—Why It’s a Net Positive (If You Adapt) Author: Alex Hutchinson | Act on Tech / Alex Custom Tech Introduction Artificial Intelligence is everywhere right now. From chatbots to content generation, AI—specifically Large Language Models (LLMs)—is reshaping how businesses and individuals work. I want to be upfront: I use AI in my business and this very podcast. It helps me create intros, outros, and promotional material. But here’s the key—I don’t let

Blog Post: Self-Hosting VoIP with 3CX: Why Your Business Should Consider It Author: Alex Hutchinson | Act on Tech / Alex Custom Tech For many small businesses, communication is the backbone of daily operations. Whether it’s handling customer calls, coordinating with staff, or managing remote teams, your phone system needs to be reliable, flexible, and cost-effective. Traditional phone systems and even many hosted VoIP solutions can fall short — either by limiting control, inc

Blog Post: Stop Using Your Dog’s Name: Why Password Management & 2FA Matter More Than Ever Author: Alex Hutchinson | Act on Tech / Alex Custom Tech Let’s be honest—if your go-to password is still something like fluffy123, it’s time for a wake-up call. In the latest episode of the Act on Tech podcast, I broke down one of the most overlooked (but absolutely critical) parts of your digital security: password management and two-factor authentication (2FA). Here’s the truth: the e

Blog Post: The DDR RAM Shortage: What It Means for Your Business Author: Alex Hutchinson | Act on Tech / Alex Custom Tech DDR (Double Data Rate) RAM is the working memory inside your computers and servers. It directly impacts: System speed Multitasking performance Application responsiveness Virtualization and server workloads Most businesses today are still heavily reliant on DDR4, while newer systems are moving toward DDR5. Why There’s a Shortage The current shortage isn’t c

Blog Post: What Is Zero Trust Security—and Why Your Business Needs It Author: Alex Hutchinson | Act on Tech / Alex Custom Tech Cybersecurity isn’t just for the big players anymore. Small businesses are facing more cyber threats than ever, and traditional security models just don’t cut it. That’s where Zero Trust Security comes in. What Is Zero Trust? Zero Trust is the idea that no device, user, or application should be trusted automatically—even if they’re inside your network

Why We Don’t Do Break/Fix: The Alex Custom Tech Approach to IT Author: Alex Hutchinson | Act on Tech / Alex Custom Tech This Is a Clarity Post — Not a Sales Pitch If you found this page because you’re considering reaching out to Alex Custom Tech , this post exists for one reason: clarity . Before we talk, quote, or assess anything, it’s important that you understand how I think about technology, business, and responsibility . This isn’t about convincing you to work with me —

Blog Post: Windows 11 Update Slows Down SSDs—Here’s What You Need to Know Author: Alex Hutchinson | Act on Tech / Alex Custom Tech Introduction If your Windows 11 computer suddenly feels sluggish, the culprit might not be your imagination—or your hardware. A recent Windows 11 update has been linked to SSD performance slowdowns, leaving many users frustrated with longer boot times, sluggish apps, and slower file transfers. In this post, we’ll break down what’s happening, how t

Blog Post: AI PCs: The New Computer Era — Hype or Real Change? Author: Alex Hutchinson | Act on Tech / Alex Custom Tech For years, building a custom app meant one thing: hiring a developer. That usually came with high costs, long timelines, and a lot of back-and-forth just to get something functional. For small businesses, that barrier alone kept many good ideas from ever becoming reality. But that’s no longer the world we live in. Today, small business owners can build their

Blog Post: Streamline Operations with Managed Services for SMBs Author: Alex Hutchinson | Act on Tech / Alex Custom Tech In today's competitive landscape, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) face numerous challenges. From managing limited resources to keeping up with technological advancements, the pressure can be overwhelming. One effective solution that many SMBs are turning to is managed services . This approach not only helps streamline operations but also allows bus