42 is famously the answer to the ultimate question of Life, the Universe, and Everything. Take a look at The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy if you don't know the reference! The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy was a work of genius Alpha Tracker Release 42 is not quite that, but it is still a huge update, with the usual hundreds of improvements, new features, performance enhancements and bug fixes. Important! It will probably also be the final major update to the core Alpha Tracker system before we begin rolling out our complete rewrite, built using a new technology stack, later in 2026. You can read more about our plans on the Alpha Tracker roadmap . Jack, Ferry, Judy, Kim and the rest of the team have had a lot of fun creating this release. As always, we have also worked hard to implement ideas and suggestions from our wonderful customers. Release 42 highlights More than 600 improvements and updates across every area of Alpha Tracker Major Water Hygiene enhancements, in...
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300 miles. One day. One team. Please help us support Cancer Research UK
On Tuesday 28 July, the Start Software and Alpha Tracker UK team will be taking on an ambitious office challenge for Cancer Research UK.
Together, we are going to cycle 300 miles in a single day.
Thankfully, we aren’t expecting everyone to squeeze onto one bike.
Telford to the Welsh coast
Dan and Robin will set off from our Telford office and cycle approximately 75 miles each to Aberdyfi on the Welsh coast.
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| Looks like Robin needs to practice wearing his helmet |
Back at Base
Meanwhile, back at Start Software HQ, the rest of our UK team will complete the remaining 150 miles as a relay on a static bike outside the office.
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| Kim spinning her wheels |
That means the pedals will need to keep turning throughout the day, whatever the weather and however tired everyone’s legs become!
Please visit our Cancer Research UK fundraising page and make a donation
Why we are doing it
Cancer has affected several members of the Start Software team.
Some of us have lost people we love. Others are currently experiencing cancer first-hand, trying to carry on with everyday life while undergoing treatment, attending appointments and living with continual tests and monitoring.
It is something that touches almost every family, friendship group and workplace.
We wanted to do something positive together, while raising money to support Cancer Research UK’s vital work to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer.
Watch us live during the Release 42 webinar
Because cycling 300 miles in a day apparently isn’t enough of a challenge, we are doing it on the same day as our Alpha Tracker Release 42 webinar!
The webinar takes place on:
Tuesday 28 July 2026
11:30am–12:15pm UK time
You will be able to see how the challenge is progressing live during the webinar, including the office relay team pedalling away in the background. We are also hoping to bring you updates from Dan and Robin as they make their way towards the coast.
Alongside the cycling, we will still be showing you the highlights of Release 42, what has changed in Alpha Tracker and some of the exciting developments coming next.
Register for the Release 42 webinar on LinkedIn
You can also find information about the webinar on our Alpha Tracker webinars page.
Please help us reach our target
Every donation, large or small, will encourage the team and help Cancer Research UK continue its life-saving research.
Please donate through our official fundraising page:
Donate to the Start Software Cancer Research UK challenge
You can also help enormously by sharing the page with your colleagues, friends and family.
Thank you for supporting us. We will keep the pedals turning, and we hope you will join us online to cheer everyone on!
300 miles. One day. One team. Together, we can help beat cancer.
24 July update: https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/robins-giving-page-2044?feed=56da40e4-fd8c-40d2-84e8-dc66543336b2
The Alpha Tracker API has been updated
Jack and the team have updated the Alpha Tracker API with new and improved endpoints. The appointment endpoints have had the most focus to give clients more opportunity to retrieve schedules into other software systems.
View all of the Alpha Tracker integrations here: https://alpha-tracker.co.uk/integrations
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| The Alpha Tracker API enables other systems to securely connect to Alpha Tracker |
View all of the Alpha Tracker integrations here: https://alpha-tracker.co.uk/integrations
Serious faces - serious business! We've completed our next Traction/EOS Away Day
We've been in Birmingham for our leadership team Away Day. We follow the Traction/EOS process - it's brilliant - and each quarter we set our goals (rocks) and plans and review where we are.
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| Catherine, Dan, Jack, Robin in planning mode |
This was a serious day where we made significant changes to the shape of our business, introducing AI into our support process and planning the next AI-powered version of Alpha Tracker.
We're sharing the plans with our team first, then we'll be communicating with our wonderful clients.
Release 42 Webinar - Tues 28 July @ 11:30 - 12:15. It's time to register!
Join us for our Alpha Tracker Release 42 Webinar on Tuesday 28 July @ 11:30 - 12:15.
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| Join Kim, Robin & the team |
We'll show you what's new, what's changed, and what's coming up next in the Alpha Tracker Roadmap.
Click here to register https://www.linkedin.com/events/7482403111265996800?viewAsMember=true - or join on the day at whereby.com/alpha-tracker-webinar.
Cloud issue affecting Alpha Tracker has been resolved
We are pleased to confirm that the cloud issue affecting Alpha Tracker users in the UK earlier today has now been resolved.
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| Cloud issues are now resolved |
The incident caused slow access and, for some users, difficulties connecting to or logging into Alpha Tracker during the morning of Friday 10 July 2026.
Our team worked closely with our cloud technical support specialists to investigate the problem and restore normal service. Alpha Tracker is now available again and systems are operating normally.
We are continuing to monitor the service closely and will review the incident to understand what happened and whether any further steps can be taken to reduce the risk of a similar disruption.
We are very sorry for the inconvenience caused, particularly to teams who rely on Alpha Tracker throughout their working day.
Thank you to everyone affected for your patience and understanding while the problem was being resolved.
Cloud issue affecting Alpha Tracker ** Friday 10 July 2026 **
Friday 10 July 2026 11:50.
We are sorry but an issue in the cloud has affected Alpha Tracker for many UK users throughout the morning.
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| The Alpha Cloud cloud has a major issue this morning |
Symptoms will include slow access or difficulties connecting or logging in.
We are working with our cloud technical support to diagnose and resolve. We will update affected clients as soon as we are able.
Thank you for your patience.