Automation
The Agentic Workflow: How I Built My 2026 Portfolio with AI
Speed is the new superpower. Here's a look behind the curtain at how I use AI agents to architect, code, and launch projects in record time.
February 3, 2026⏰2 min read
Automation Operations
RPA, AI Extraction, and Workflow Systems. Focused on building reliable, production-ready automation for enterprise scale.
Automation
Interactive Workflows: Visualizing Construction Logic with React Flow
Static diagrams are boring. Learn how to use React Flow to build interactive, draggable workflow maps that help clients understand complex automation.
February 3, 2026⏰2 min read
Automation
Mastering MailerLite Automations: A Practical Guide for Modern Marketers
Automation is the secret weapon of high-performance businesses. Learn how to set up a professional nurture sequence in MailerLite from scratch.
February 3, 2026⏰3 min read
Automation
The Case for Data Ownership: Why I Left Third-Party Forms
Subscription fatigue is real. Why I moved my newsletter from a simple 'plug-and-play' form to a custom-integrated system I control.
February 3, 2026⏰3 min read
Automation
Finding Redundant Data: Rank Analysis for Coder Productivity
Big Data often contains 'fake' information—metrics that are just linear combinations of other metrics. Learn how to use Matrix Rank in MATLAB to clean up your datasets and simplify reporting.
2/2/2026⏰2 min read
Automation
Document AI Use Cases for Small Teams and Solo Developers
Think enterprise-grade AI is out of reach? Here are five practical ways small teams can use Document AI to save hundreds of hours.
February 02, 2026⏰2 min read
Automation
How to Change Coordinates Between Bases Using MATLAB
The same vector can have different coordinates depending on the basis. Learn how to compute change-of-coordinates matrices in MATLAB using rref and augmented matrices.
2/1/2026⏰3 min read
Automation
How to Find a Basis Using MATLAB
A basis is the foundation of vector spaces. Learn how to extract a basis from a set of vectors and complete it using MATLAB's rref function and the identity matrix technique.
2/1/2026⏰3 min read
Automation
Finding Rank and Null Space Using MATLAB
The rank and null space are fundamental properties of matrices. Learn how to compute them efficiently in MATLAB and verify the Rank-Nullity Theorem.
2/1/2026⏰3 min read
Automation
How to Determine if Vectors Span a Space Using MATLAB
Learn how to use MATLAB's rref function to determine whether a set of vectors spans a space and whether a specific vector lies in that span—essential skills for linear algebra.
2/1/2026⏰3 min read
Automation
Power Apps to Dataverse: Saving multi-select choices correctly
Dataverse multi-select choice columns are a power-user's dream but a developer's nightmare. Learn the correct way to Patch multi-select data without losing your mind—or your data integrity.
2/1/2026⏰3 min read
Automation
My Go-To Python Project Structure for Automation Tools
Stop writing spaghetti scripts. Here is the modular, clean architecture I use for every Python automation project.
February 01, 2026⏰2 min read
Automation
DIY Legal Automation: Building a Simple Contract Auditor with Power Automate
Enterprise tools like LexAudit and Thomson Reuters are powerful, but expensive. Here is how small firms can build a 'Lite' version using tools they already have.
January 31, 2026⏰2 min read
Automation
How to upload images to a SharePoint list using Power Automate (Image vs Attachment)
SharePoint image columns and attachments often confuse Power Automate developers. Learn the key differences, Base64 requirements, and how to build a reliable upload flow for mobile and web.
1/31/2026⏰3 min read
Automation
Power Automate: Import CSV into SharePoint List (No Premium Actions)
Manually entering data from CSVs into SharePoint is a waste of time. Learn how to build a robust Power Automate flow that reads CSV files and creates list items—completely without premium connectors.
1/30/2026⏰3 min read
Automation
OCR vs Document AI: When Each One Makes Sense
Confused about whether to use simple OCR or advanced Document AI? This guide compares them head-to-head on cost, accuracy, and engineering effort.
January 30, 2026⏰5 min read
Automation
Why 'Append to array variable' fails with JSON in Power Automate (and the correct pattern)
Stop troubleshooting nested loops. If your Power Automate flow is failing to append JSON values to an array, it's likely a type mismatch. Learn the correct way to handle JSON arrays and objects.
1/29/2026⏰3 min read
Automation
Google Document AI Form Parser Explained (With Real Examples)
A technical breakdown of Google Cloud's Form Parser: what it extracts, how confidence scores work, and when it beats traditional OCR.
January 28, 2026⏰3 min read
Automation
Lessons Learned Building a Document AI Tool (What I’d Do Differently)
A builder's log of the mistakes, unexpected costs, and architectural decisions I encountered while building a production-ready Document AI workflow.
January 27, 2026⏰4 min read
Automation
Why Excel Is Still the Final Destination for Most Automations
I used to hate Excel. I wanted everything in a custom dashboard. Then I realized that for 90% of business owners, Excel is the only tool they actually trust.
January 26, 2026⏰3 min read
Automation
Why MATLAB Labs Fail Autograders (Even When the Code Runs)
Avoid the common pitfalls that cause 85% of autograder failures in Applied Linear Algebra by mastering formatting and matrix logic.
January 12, 2026⏰3 min read
Automation
Automation Isn't About Speed — It's About Confidence
Fast automation that breaks trust is worthless. Reliable automation that you can trust is priceless. Here's the shift in mindset.
January 10, 2026⏰2 min read
Automation
Why I Prefer Boring, Reliable Automation Over Flashy AI Demos
AI demos win hackathons. Boring automation wins in production. Here's why I choose boring every time.
January 10, 2026⏰2 min read
Automation
The Role of Constraints in Building Better Automation Tools
Unlimited resources kill focus. Constraints force creativity. Here's why I embrace limits when building tools.
January 10, 2026⏰2 min read
Automation
Why I Document My Projects in Public
Public documentation feels vulnerable. But it's the best forcing function for clarity, quality, and accountability.
January 09, 2026⏰2 min read
Automation
What Building Automation Projects Taught Me About Problem-Solving
Automation isn't just about code. It's about understanding systems, constraints, and humans. Here's what I've learned.
January 08, 2026⏰2 min read
Automation
How I Turn Personal Projects Into Reusable Tools
One-off scripts die in a folder. Reusable tools get used for years. Here's my 3-step process for turning experiments into products.
January 07, 2026⏰2 min read
Automation
When AI Is Overkill for Document Processing
AI is powerful. But sometimes a regex is all you need. Here's when to skip the AI and use simpler tools.
January 06, 2026⏰2 min read
Automation
The Difference Between Document Parsing and Data Extraction
These terms get used interchangeably. But they're different—and understanding the difference will save you hours.
January 05, 2026⏰1 min read
Automation
What Types of PDFs Are Actually Automatable (And Which Aren't)
Not all PDFs are created equal. Here is an honest builder's guide to what works, what’s a headache, and what you should probably just skip.
January 4, 2026⏰4 min read
Automation
Why 'Accuracy' Is the Wrong Metric for AI Extraction
Everyone obsesses over accuracy scores. But in production, confidence, consistency, and recoverability matter more.
January 02, 2026⏰2 min read
Automation
CLI vs UI: When Each Makes Sense in Automation Tools
Command-line or graphical interface? The answer depends on who's using it. Here's my decision framework.
December 30, 2025⏰2 min read
Automation
My Default Automation Stack in 2025 (And Why)
Tools change. Principles don't. Here's a look at the 'Switcherboard' stack I reach for in 2025—and why I value clarity over complexity.
December 27, 2025⏰4 min read
Automation
Automation Is a Product, Even When It's Internal
Internal tools deserve product thinking. Here's why UX, documentation, and user empathy matter—even when you're the only user.
December 24, 2025⏰2 min read
Automation
The Hidden Cost of 'Quick Fix' Automations
That 10-minute script saved time today. But it's costing you every day after. Here's the real math of quick-fix automation.
December 22, 2025⏰2 min read
Automation
Why Most Automation Projects Break After Version 1
It's not the initial build that's hard—it's keeping it running. Here are the common failure patterns that kill automations after launch.
December 20, 2025⏰2 min read
Automation
Why 'No-Code vs Code' Is the Wrong Debate
The real question isn't 'no-code or code?' It's 'what's the right tool for this job?' Here is why I use both.
December 15, 2025⏰2 min read
Automation
Why I Build Small Tools Instead of Big Platforms
Big platforms are tempting. But small, focused tools are what actually get used. Here is why I intentionally stay small.
November 25, 2025⏰2 min read
Automation
How I Learn New Tools Without Getting Overwhelmed
Learning new tech doesn't have to be overwhelming. Here is my system for picking up new tools quickly without burning out.
November 15, 2025⏰2 min read
Automation
How I Built a Document AI Tool Using Google Cloud Form Parser
A behind-the-scenes look at how I built the Document AI Starter — a lightweight Google Cloud workflow for turning PDFs into structured Excel data.
October 26, 2025⏰4 min read
Automation
Where Power Automate Ends — and Custom Code Begins
Power Automate is powerful, but it has limits. Here is when to reach for Python (or another language) instead.
October 25, 2025⏰3 min read
Automation
Why Most 'AI Automations' Fail in Real Workflows
AI demos look perfect. Production AI is messy. Here are the 4 reasons AI automations fail and how to avoid them.
October 15, 2025⏰2 min read
Automation
How I Used Document AI and Python to Turn 197 PDFs into Clean Data
See how Google Document AI and Python were used to convert 197 messy EMS PDFs into a clean, searchable Excel dataset.
October 8, 2025⏰6 min read
Automation
Automation vs Manual Work: Where the Break-Even Point Really Is
When does automation actually save time? Here is the math behind the break-even point and why it's not just about speed.
October 05, 2025⏰2 min read
Automation
When to Use YAML, JSON, or ENV Files in Automation Projects
All three serve different purposes. Here is when to use each one and why I use all three in the same project.
September 25, 2025⏰2 min read
Automation
How to convert a data URI (Base64) into an email attachment using Power Automate
Stop Base64 data URIs from breaking your Power Automate email attachments. Learn the simple Compose expressions to clean the string and convert it to a working file format.
9/12/2025⏰3 min read
Automation
Automating Signature Workflows: Step-by-Step Guide to Integrating SharePoint with Adobe Sign
This guide explains how to automate signature workflows by integrating SharePoint with Adobe Sign.
September 9, 2025⏰4 min read
Automation
How I Structure Automation Projects So They Don't Collapse Later
A single 500-line script works until it doesn't. Here is the project architecture I use to keep automation maintainable.
September 05, 2025⏰3 min read
Automation
Why Logging Is the Most Underrated Part of Automation
Everyone focuses on making automation work. Almost no one focuses on proving it worked. Here is why logging is your secret weapon.
August 25, 2025⏰2 min read
Automation
Top 5 Office Tasks You Can Automate Right Now (With Power Automate)
Discover 5 workflow automation examples you can set up today with Microsoft Power Automate. Learn how to save time, reduce errors, and boost productivity all with little to no coding required.
August 18, 2025⏰3 min read
Automation
The Difference Between Scripts, Tools, and Systems
Most people stop at scripts. But tools and systems are where automation gets powerful. Here is how to think about each level.
August 15, 2025⏰3 min read
Automation
What Makes an Automation Worth Building?
Not every task deserves a script. Here is the decision-making framework I use to decide what to automate and what to leave manual.
August 05, 2025⏰3 min read
Automation
Demystifying Metadata: Boosting Your Website's Visibility
Unpack the importance of metadata for SEO and social media. Learn how to optimize your title tags, description, Open Graph, and Twitter Cards to make your site shine.
June 14, 2025⏰15 min read
Automation
Behind the Build: Launching PMTheTechGuy.com
A developer's journal entry on building and launching their personal site, covering key decisions, tools, and lessons learned.
June 12, 2025⏰3 min read
Automation
Continuous Refactoring: The Evolution of a File Sorting Engine
How a simple 'Move File' script evolved into an intelligent, extension-aware sorting system, and what it taught me about scalable automation.
January 10, 2025⏰2 min read