We are pleased to say that the beta version of Alpha Tracker Release 42 is already looking very encouraging. Dan & Jack studying the Apdex results A small number of clients have been trying the new release, and the early signs are positive. In particular, some clients are seeing their Apdex score improve by around 3 to 5 points. That may sound like a small number, but in day-to-day use it can make a noticeable difference. It means Alpha Tracker is feeling quicker, smoother and more responsive for users, especially when carrying out regular tasks across the system. There is still more testing to do before the full release, but these early results are a promising sign. We will continue to monitor performance closely during the beta period and fine-tune things where needed. Thank you to everyone helping us test Release 42. Your feedback is already making a difference.
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Robin's week in Newfoundland is over - Big C is now ready and waiting only for the right winds and tide
They say a watched kettle never boils. At the end of Robin's week working and helping Andrew Bedwell prepare his tiny boat "Big C v2" to cross the Atlantic, it was starting to feel like a watched boat would never sail, either! The wind never behaved and so the week was spent preparing the boat and testing equipment, not watching Andrew head off east.
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| Petty Harbour with Big C V2's crate |
The first logistical challenge was to find Big C. The logistics company knew that the boat was in Newfoundland, but not exactly where and so it took half the week to get the boat (still in its packing crate) to the quayside at Petty Harbour. The boat then had to be uncrated, and hauled upright so that Andrew could continue to fit and test equipment inside.
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| Andrew starting the uncrating |
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| Heave! We got it upright thanks to the help of several locals |
Andrew could set of now at any time - he just needs a few days of the wind being in his favour. Please do support him if you can (scan the QR code - easy) and donate, too. Cancer Research is such an important charity - thanks for all your support and encouragement.
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| Scan to register your support |
By the way, we built the Big C Atlantic Challenge app for Andrew as part of our sponsorship. Could we build an app for you? While Andrew is on his 90+ day journey, he will be using Alpha TransForm to send updates and receive messages from home. At Start Software, we are expects in all things Alpha - take a look at our website to find out more: https://alpha-software-specialists.com/
And finally... this is the food that Andrew will be eating each and every day for 90+ days... minced up beefy jerky, raisins and fat. It's calorie-packed and will also help to line and insulate the boat through the coldest seas. And, yes, Robin did try it...
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| Imagine eating this for 90 days! |
Special guest joining us for the drop-in Office Hours session on Monday. Join Kim & Zac to talk Alpha Tracker templates and document production
We've got a special guest joining us on Monday's Alpha Tracker "Office Hours" session. We've been running "Office Hours" sessions this year so that any Alpha Tracker user can drop in and ask anything they want - it's informal, not recorded, and cameras-on!
On Monday's session, we've got Richard Blunt dropping by from Mesothelioma UK, our company-supported charity. We've got plans to add features into Alpha Tracker to help Meso UK raise vital funds without adding extra admin to any process... and your ideas will be welcome!
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| Join Kim & Zac to chat Alpha Tracker |
On this month's drop-in webinar, Kim & Zac will be talking about asbestos and water report templates and document production. If you're interested in improving your reports, adding maps or charts, losing your report "queue" or just want to talk about how reports are produced, this is the session for you. We'll also be talking about our new Alpha Tracker AI tools in case you haven't tried them yet.
Do join us on Monday 18 May, from 14:00-14:30, all you do is click this link - no pre-registration needed: https://whereby.com/alpha-tracker-office-hours. See you then!
Only a week to go - Andrew & Robin meet to check his satellite phone and Big C Atlantic Challenge app
With only a week to go before his world record-attempting Atlantic crossing, it is all feeling very real for adventurer Andrew Bedwell. He's planning to set off from St John's, Newfoundland to sail across the ocean back to the UK in a tiny boat, completely unsupported. That's 90+ days of being alone in something not much bigger than a wheelie bin (see https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3w3jgqj0nno).
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| Andrew thinking about the challenges that lie ahead |
Start Software is sponsoring Andrew as he tries to bring the record back to the UK and raise money for Cancer Research along the way. Several of the Start team have been affected by cancer, and so this is a cause very close to our hearts.
Our director Robin met Andrew at the Anderton Boat Lift visitor centre yesterday to check his tech and the app we have built for him and his followers: https://big-c-atlantic-challenge.app/
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| Andrew & Robin with the satellite link on the desk |
Andrew will be sending messages back to the Start team so that the app can be updated. He'll be using the Alpha TransForm app which is tuned for low data bandwidth environments: https://www.alphasoftware.com/alpha-transform-overview.
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| Alpha TransForm in action |
Please do register to follow Andrew's incredible voyage and to learn more about him and his endurance and determination. You can go to https://big-c-atlantic-challenge.app/ on your laptop, or scan this QR code on your phone:
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| Scan this on your phone to register your support |
PS Robin will be flying out to St John's at the weekend to help Andrew prepare to sail - watch out for updates then
April 2026 Support Desk Performance: A Busy Month Supporting Alpha Tracker Users
April was another strong month for the Start Software support desk, with the team continuing to deliver a fast and reliable service for customers using Alpha Tracker.
It was also a particularly busy month for calls from asbestos and water hygiene technicians, reflecting the continued day-to-day reliance on Alpha Tracker in the field. Whether technicians were logging site information, updating records, managing jobs, or needing help while out with clients, the support desk was on hand to help keep work moving.
Strong response and resolution performance
In April 2026, the support desk solved 869 problems in total. Of those, 810 were solved in time, giving an overall in-time resolution rate of 93.21%.
High-priority support remained especially strong. The team solved 141 high-priority issues in time, achieving an excellent 97.92% in-time rate for high-priority tickets.
This continues the consistent performance seen throughout the year so far:
| Month | Total solved | In time | In time % | High-priority in time % |
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| January 2026 | 904 | 846 | 93.58% | 98.86% |
| February 2026 | 926 | 855 | 92.33% | 98.81% |
| March 2026 | 996 | 923 | 92.67% | 97.93% |
| April 2026 | 869 | 810 | 93.21% | 97.92% |
A busy month for technician support
April’s figures show that the support team handled a substantial number of requests while maintaining a high standard of service. With Alpha Tracker being used heavily by asbestos and water hygiene technicians, many calls required practical, timely support for people working in live operational environments.
That kind of support is especially important when technicians are on site and need quick answers. The April results show the team continuing to respond effectively, helping users resolve issues and get back to their work with minimal delay.
Thank you to the support team
A big thank you goes to everyone on the support desk for another month of hard work, patience, and professionalism.
Solving 869 problems in April, while keeping more than 93% of all tickets and almost 98% of high-priority tickets within target, is a strong achievement and a great reflection of the team’s commitment to Alpha Tracker customers.
Welcome Harmony Fire! Another fire and asbestos consultancy joins the Alpha Tracker family
A warm welcome to the team at Harmony Fire, who are beginning their Alpha Tracker asbestos training today.
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| The lovely team at Harmony Fire |
We’re delighted to be supporting Harmony as they get started with Alpha Tracker, particularly as they extend their asbestos service offerings to their clients. This marks an exciting step in broadening the support they already provide across safety, compliance, consultancy, building fabric, service and maintenance solutions.
Alpha Tracker specialist Kim is onsite today to guide the team through the system, answer questions, and help everyone feel confident using Alpha Tracker from the outset.
We’re really pleased to be working with Harmony Fire and look forward to supporting the team as they continue to grow their services and deliver trusted safety solutions for their clients.
Welcome to Alpha Tracker, Harmony Fire!
Fun webinar with the Alpha TransForm team and Big C's Andrew Bedwell! Watch us build TransForm offline-capable data capture forms live for Andrew to use while mid-Atlantic
Big C's Andrew Bedwell & Start Software's director Robin joined Alpha TransForm's Dave & Scott on Wednesday in a live 30-minute webinar. It had been a busy day for Andrew, following a BBC interview earlier in the day: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3w3jgqj0nno
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| Mid-webinar talking about apps, data & power mid-Atlantic |
The conversation was a lot of fun covering every topic from how Start Software builds apps and offline-capable forms to the likelihood of Andrew seeing mermaids on his world-record-attempting crossing...
Our Big C Atlantic Challenge app is now live and you can register by using this QR code:
Alpha Software Specialists Start Software is sponsoring the World Record attempt, helping Andrew to raise money for Cancer Research. A number of the Start Software team are (and have been) affected by cancer, so this is a cause close to our hearts.
For more information, please do click these links:
• The app at https://big-c-atlantic-challenge.app
• The World Record Attempt
• Start Software's support for the Big C Atlantic Challenge
• The Cancer Research donation page
You can watch the webinar here, on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vDgeyaLJa4 - and please Like and Share with your friends!
Remember - if you need help with Alpha TransForm or want us to create offline-capable data capture forms for your business, we're here to help: https://alpha-software-specialists.com/