Jack's first visit to work with Judy at our Adelaide Australian HQ

Our Alpha Tracker supremo (and CTO) Jack is in Adelaide this week, his first visit to spend time with Judy and her team at our Australian HQ.

Judy finding something hilarious; Jack not so much!

Robin was there, too, and there were plenty of discussions about the next features we need to build out for the asbestos consultancies using Alpha Tracker in Australia & New Zealand.  Top of the list were the addition of more occupational hygiene services for the software - something we'll progress as quickly as we can.

 

PS Robin nearly bought tickets for Day 3 of the Perth Ashes Test... that was a close call!  Watching England's total humiliation on the TV was bad enough...

Robin is considering applying for Australian Citizenship!

Alpha Tracker partner FLS - FAST LEAN SMART is rebranding as Solvares Field Service

Our amazing scheduling partner FLS has told us that they are rebranding as Solvares Field Service.

The Solvares website

Nothing is changing other than the brand name - our integration will still be able to optimise diaries within Alpha Tracker to reduce driving time, increase site time, and improve the lives of field staff.

Get in touch for more information or to book a demo.  Why not watch our integration webinar, too!

Jack & Dan present at the Alpha Anywhere Dev Day 2025 - "Start - using AI"

Start Software's senior Alpha Anywhere developers Jack & Dan presented a 45-minute session at Alpha Software's annual Dev Day titled "Start - using AI" (see what we did there!).  The session introduced the new AI features in Alpha Anywhere, how to get started, and what we (at Start) use the features for.

Dan, their presentation, and Jack - ready to go

Jack introduced some of the different AI providers and models that are available and why we (generally) use OpenAI and ChatGPT.

We do like to advertise what we do! We are Alpha Software Specialists

Dan then covered off the basics of setting up a connection to a model in Alpha Anywhere and how to use some of the new XBasic functions in a couple of real-world examples.  

First, he showed how a complex prompt (itself written by AI) can be used to analyse images of properties - in our case, to judge whether asbestos may be present inside.  Second, he showed that AI can read PDFs and extract key data - even if the structure of the PDF isn't known in advance.

Jack finished up with a discussion about Ollama and why it is useful, and why you need to think about security and performance when working with AI.

If we can help you with AI or any of the Alpha Software products - Alpha Anywhere, Alpha Cloud and Alpha TransForm - get in touch!

Alpha Tracker's Kim, Catherine & Robin at the Global Asbestos Forum in Bergen. Early start, excellent presentations!

We’re back from a brilliant few days in Bergen for the Global Asbestos Forum 2025.

Robin, Forum President Yvonne, Kim & Catherine

Alpha Tracker specialists Kim, Catherine and Robin attended the full programme at the iconic Grieghallen – and Robin also delivered a dedicated AI session showcasing the growing list of innovations arriving in asbestos software Alpha Tracker.

The inspirational Mesothelioma survivor and advocate Heather von St James

This year’s theme - “Asbestos: collaboration is key” - felt especially relevant, with international delegates sharing ideas, research and real-world practice. We were proud to be part of the conversation and to fly the flag for Alpha Tracker users in the UK, Australia and beyond.

An early start in beautiful Bergen

Our day began with a crisp walk from the hotel to the venue. Bergen looked spectacular under the early-morning lights, with the city centre already buzzing as delegates made their way to sessions.

Kim & Catherine - loaded up with luggage!

What a venue!

Settling in for a packed programme

Once inside, we joined fellow delegates to hear updates on asbestos policy, science and global initiatives.

As a conference sponsor, we had good coverage in the programme with FLS

Networking breaks were busy too – it was great to reconnect with familiar faces and meet new ones.

Kim in full flow

Showcasing Alpha Tracker at the GAF

Our stand was busy throughout the conference, with lots of interest in the latest product developments and, in particular, the Alpha Tracker/FLS VISITOUR scheduling integration.

Not many pens left...

Collaboration is key - this is one or our core Alpha Tracker values

Visitors to the stand were interested in AI and our FLS integration where we demonstrated how seamless route optimisation and workload balancing can transform a consultancy’s day-to-day operations – particularly when dealing with large survey teams or tightly-timed reinspection schedules.

In fact, the FLS/Alpha Tracker integration even made it into the programme:

FLS & Alpha Tracker - in print

Robin’s AI session: innovation with ethics, security and transparency (plus agentic AI)

Robin delivered a dedicated session exploring how AI is already improving efficiency, quality and consistency across the asbestos industry. The workshop highlighted both the opportunities and the responsibilities that come with adopting AI within safety-critical workflows.

Robin pointing at Alan Turing (one of his heroes)

The professional photographer struggled to find Robin's "best side"(!)

Robin sharing the FLS news

Robin also showcased a wide range of new and upcoming AI features within Alpha Tracker, including:

• FLS VISITOUR scheduling integration - see https://alpha-tracker.co.uk/fls-in-alpha-tracker

• “Ask Alfie” support assistant

• Screen summaries for quick understanding

• Photo Analyst – identifying materials and issues instantly

• Building Analyst – automated building-level insights

• Report Chatbot for rapid content clarification

• Summary Videos automatically produced from project data

• Tracker Email Agent – triaging and taking actions in Alpha Tracker from inboxes

• Report QC – Launch edition, our newest quality-checking tool.

All were received with enthusiasm, with plenty of questions about practical roll-out and real-world benefits.

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A fantastic conference – and a fantastic host city

Bergen once again proved to be the perfect host: friendly, atmospheric and full of energy. A huge thank you to Yvonne and the organisers of the Global Asbestos Forum for another superb event.

We’re already looking forward to next year.

If you’d like to learn more about any of the AI tools we demonstrated, or the Alpha Tracker + FLS integration, please get in touch – we’d love to show you more.

Join us on the Alpha Anywhere Dev Day - Tuesday 18 November 2025

Join the Start Software expert Alpha developers on the Alpha Anywhere Developer's Day 2025!

Robin & Dan finding something funny in their presentation prep(!)

If you’re working in low-code, mobile or web application development using the Alpha Anywhere/Alpha TransForm stack, then mark your diary: the annual Alpha Anywhere Developer’s Day 2025 (DevDay 2025) is just around the corner — and we’re delighted to announce that the developers at Start Software will be presenting.

🎯 Why DevDay 2025 is a must-attend

Scheduled for Tuesday 18 November 2025, from 9 am to 5 pm EDT (that’s 2 pm to 10 pm UK time approximately), the event is a free virtual conference aimed at the global Alpha developer community.

Highlights include:

• Guest-speaker presentations from leading Alpha developers

• A first look at the product roadmap for Alpha Anywhere and Alpha TransForm

• Practical tips & tricks for building faster, smarter with the Alpha platform

This is not just a “vendor show-and-tell” — it’s a full day of learning, networking and forward-looking insight for developers and project leads working with the Alpha stack.

🚀 Start Software’s role (and why it matters)

At Start Software we have been working with the Alpha platform for many years (since 2011, in fact) and our team has built large-scale systems using Alpha Anywhere, TransForm and Alpha Cloud.  It's fair to say that we are Alpha Software Specialists!

We’re particularly proud to say:

• We live and breathe “Alpha-first” solutions — from desktop to web to mobile

• Our in-house application, “Alpha Tracker”, powers thousands of projects and is developed with the same technologies we help our clients implement. (Yes, that means real world, production scale.)

• With DevDay 2025’s theme anchored around AI, our presentation will focus on how AI & machine-learning capabilities can be integrated into Alpha-built apps — making them smarter, more responsive and better aligned with the demands of modern users.

🧠 What we’ll be presenting

In our session we will:

• Explore how we have used AI-capabilities (such as natural-language processing, intelligent suggestions, anomaly detection) within Alpha Anywhere workflows.

• Demonstrate practical patterns: converting expert/manual logic into AI-driven services inside an Alpha application.

• Show how you can accelerate development, reduce repetitive tasks and elevate user experience using AI inside the Alpha stack — without sacrificing control, maintainability or performance.

• Offer a live mini-demo plus a takeaway checklist you can apply immediately in your own projects.

✅ Why you should register

• Free access — the event is virtual and open to all

• It’s a rare chance to see what’s next for Alpha Anywhere/TransForm and hear from developers who are applying it today.

• If you’re using Alpha in your business (or evaluating it), you’ll learn how AI can be added as a value-add — not just “because we can”.

• Networking opportunity: meet other developers, ask questions, discover partner solutions and expand your peer-group.

• And of course, having Start Software on the programme means you’ll get direct insight into one company’s journey — we’ll be quite open about lessons learned (both wins and pitfalls).

📌 How to join

Head over to the DevDay registration page:
➡️ Register for Developer’s Day 2025 (registration link on the official site)

Since the event is free, seats may fill up — best to secure your place now.

Once registered you’ll receive access details, schedule, sessions list and join link for the virtual event.

✉️ Connect with us before the day

If you’re already using Alpha Anywhere/TransForm (or considering it) and want to meet ahead of time, our team at Start Software would love to connect:

• Send an email to: alpha@start-software.com 

• Or reply to this blog post (we’ll monitor the comments) and we can schedule a short 15-minute chat ahead of DevDay to cover your specific project, questions or ideas.

🌟 Closing thoughts

AI is fast becoming the differentiator in app development. It’s not just about “add AI for show” — it’s about embedding intelligence, user-context, predictive insights and automation in a way that raises the value of your apps.

By combining the power of Alpha Anywhere / TransForm with targeted AI integration, organisations can deliver solutions that are faster, smarter and future-proof.

We at Start Software are excited to share how we are doing exactly that — and to learn from the broader Alpha community at DevDay 2025.

We hope to see you on 18 November. Register now to reserve your place, and we look forward to connecting with many of you during the session.

Peter Posh goes live with a new Alpha Anywhere system - built by Start Software

We’re delighted to announce that our latest Alpha Anywhere project is now live across all Peter Posh showrooms.

Peter Posh in Shrewsbury, one of 8 showrooms

Peter Posh is a name synonymous with quality and style in formal suit hire. From weddings and proms to black-tie events, they’ve been helping people look their best for over 30 years. Their attention to detail and dedication to customer satisfaction are legendary — and those same values have driven this ambitious digital transformation.

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From desktop to browser – a complete business overhaul

Peter Posh is renowing for its quality and style

The Peter Posh team previously relied on a long-standing desktop system to manage their day-to-day operations. While it served them well for many years, it was time to evolve. Together, we rebuilt the entire system in Alpha Anywhere, bringing it right up to date as a fully browser-based business application.

The new platform now manages every step of their operation, including:

• Enquiries and bookings – capturing customer details and event information the moment they get in touch.

• Outfit planning – selecting suit styles, colours, accessories and sizes to create the perfect coordinated look.

• Warehouse and logistics – tracking garments, handling preparation, packaging and delivery.

• Returns and invoicing – managing collections and automatically producing invoices.

It’s an end-to-end solution that keeps every department connected and every customer order on track.

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Designed around the showroom experience

Shop staff  can now enter orders live, direct onto tablets

Perhaps the most visible change is on the shop floor.

Staff now use tablets during consultations and fittings, giving them instant access to customer records, outfit choices and availability. Whether they’re showing a groom his suit options or confirming sizes for a party of groomsmen, everything happens seamlessly in one place — no more flipping through paper forms or checking back-office screens.

The system looks as good as the Peter Posh products!

Customers notice the difference too: fittings are faster, details are captured accurately, and there’s a modern, professional feel to every appointment. It’s technology quietly enhancing great customer service.

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A shared passion for precision

Emily at the Shrewsbury showroom

Anyone who has visited a Peter Posh showroom knows how much care goes into every detail — from the cut of a lapel to the fold of a pocket square. We wanted the same level of precision in the new system.

Our developers spent time understanding how each branch operates, how garments flow through the business, and how staff like to work. The result is a system that feels natural and intuitive for users, while handling a huge amount of complexity behind the scenes.

Some of the accessories available to buy

This close collaboration has meant that every screen, workflow and report aligns perfectly with Peter Posh’s own standards of quality.

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Technology that fits as perfectly as their suits

The new system works in a browser - no software to install

At its heart, the new system is about connection. All Peter Posh branches now share a single live database, ensuring up-to-the-minute accuracy. Managers can see availability, staff can update fittings, and the warehouse knows exactly what’s needed for each event.

The system even integrates with stock tracking, delivery schedules and invoicing to make the entire process faster and more reliable.

Behind the scenes, Alpha Anywhere provides a solid, scalable platform that’s future-proof and secure — ready to grow alongside the business.

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A partnership built on quality

Emily reviewing an order on her tablet

Delivering a project like this takes more than code. It takes communication, understanding and a shared commitment to getting the details right.

The Peter Posh team were a pleasure to work with — open, knowledgeable and passionate about improving every aspect of their service. Together we’ve created a system that not only supports their business but enhances their reputation for excellence.

We’re proud to see it live across all their showrooms and already making a difference.

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Visit Peter Posh

👉 peterposh.co.uk

Learn more about our custom Alpha Anywhere solutions

👉 start-software.com/alpha-software