Our Support Desk team solved 867 support requests during October 2026. This represents a consistent level of activity compared to the 879 requests resolved in September, following the seasonal trend we typically see at this time of year. We completed 92.04% of all requests within their target response and resolution times. For high-priority requests, the figure was 94.53%. Our year-to-date totals for 2026 are as follows: 8,941 support requests solved. 8,229 completed within target response and resolution times. 1,544 high-priority requests completed within target. Performance against our service level agreements improved this month, rising from 89.76% in September to 92.04% in October. This improvement was maintained despite a steady volume of incoming queries across our various software platforms. The majority of requests related to Alpha Tracker, with 643 tickets resolved for users of that system. We also supported our other product families, including 21 tick...
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Staying Secure Online: Cyber Awareness Month 2026
As we mark Cyber Awareness Month 2026, there is no better time to review your digital safety habits. Cyber threats are evolving rapidly, and staying informed is the best way to protect your business and personal data.
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| It's been a busy Cyber Awareness Month with many security incidents |
Recent events, such as the widely reported PHP incident, have highlighted how critical infrastructure and software can be vulnerable to global exploits. While security at Alpha Tracker remains our top priority, and we have confirmed our systems were not affected by that specific event, it serves as a stark reminder for all internet users to remain vigilant.
Practical Steps for Better Security
The Northern Ireland Cyber Security Centre is focusing on practical, actionable advice this month. To help keep your data safe, we recommend following these core principles:
- Use Strong, Unique Passwords: Avoid using the same password across different platforms. Using a password manager can help you maintain complex credentials without the risk of forgetting them.
- Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): This adds a vital layer of protection. Alpha Tracker UK supports both MFA and Single Sign-On (SSO) to ensure only authorised users can access your environmental data.
- Keep Software Updated: Whether it is your Windows operating system, your anti-virus software, or your mobile apps like Tracker Mobile, always install updates as soon as they become available to patch known vulnerabilities.
- Be Phishing Aware: Be cautious of unexpected emails or messages asking for credentials. According to the National Cyber Security Centre, phishing remains one of the most common entry points for attackers.
How Alpha Tracker Protects You
At Start Software, we build security into the heart of our products. From our Alpha Tracker Mobile applications to our cloud-based infrastructure, we use industry-standard encryption and regular security patching to safeguard your information.
Our team, including the experts at Alpha Software Specialists, continually monitors the global threat landscape to ensure our clients in the UK and through Alpha Tracker Australia/NZ are protected against emerging risks like AI-driven exploits.
Need Advice?
If you have any concerns about your system security or would like to learn more about how to enable advanced security features for your users, please get in touch with our support team. You can also find out more about our commitment to data safety on our about us page.
BBC News picks up the AI Litter Dashcam story for Clean Up Britain
Our Director, Robin Bennett, woke up to a flurry of messages from friends and family this morning as Clean Up Britain and the AI Litter Dashcam app featured prominently on BBC News. The article and accompanying video highlight how our technology is being used to tackle the growing litter crisis on the UK's road network.
A Powerful Tool for Change
Developed and donated by Start Software, the app turns a standard smartphone into a sophisticated data-gathering tool. By using Artificial Intelligence to identify and grade litter, the app provides objective evidence of the state of our roadsides. As we recently discussed when testing the app with BBC Radio Shropshire, this data is essential for holding National Highways and local councils to account.
How the Technology Works
The app is remarkably simple for volunteers to use, requiring no downloads or registration. The software operates through a web browser, taking photos every ten seconds. The AI then grades the environment:
- Grade A: No litter present.
- Grade B: Small amounts of litter.
- Grade C: Widespread litter.
- Grade D: Heavily littered, appearing "filthy."
This automated process allows for thousands of reports to be generated weekly, as we previously highlighted when Clean Up Britain appeared on ITV's Good Morning Britain.
Supporting Environmental Innovation
At Start Software, we are dedicated to using our expertise to solve complex problems. Whether it is building AI tools for the asbestos industry with Alpha Tracker UK or creating environmental monitoring apps, our goal remains the same: providing clear, actionable data.
If you are interested in joining a team that works on diverse and impactful projects, please take a look at our work with us page for current opportunities.
Clean Up Britain AI Litter Dashcam App on BBC Radio Shropshire
Our Director, Robin Bennett, recently spent time on the road with Mark Elliott from BBC Radio Shropshire to demonstrate the AI Litter Dashcam app. Developed and donated by Start Software to the Clean Up Britain campaign, this innovative tool is designed to highlight and quantify the litter crisis on our road network.
Testing the App on the A49 and A5
Robin and Mark drove along the A49 and A5 corridors around Shrewsbury to witness the litter problem firsthand and see the app in action. The technology is remarkably simple to use: drivers just mount their phone, open the web-based app, and select the "AI Dashcam" mode. The app then takes photos every 10 seconds, uses Artificial Intelligence to grade the litter, and automatically uploads the results—including the specific road name and the local authority or National Highways area responsible for its maintenance.
As we previously highlighted in our post Start Software's apps for Clean Up Britain appear on ITV's Good Morning Britain, this data is vital for informing national policy and holding the relevant authorities to account.
Shocking Local and National Statistics
During the drive, the extent of the problem in Shropshire became clear. While the app has already captured over 28,000 reports nationwide, the local data is particularly telling:
- In Shropshire, the app has captured over 3,000 reports.
- More than 250 of these are in the "C" and "D" categories—which represent unacceptable, "filthy" levels of litter under current legislation.
- Nationally, the database is growing by approximately 1,000 reports every single week.
The Reality of Roadside Maintenance
One of the most frustrating sights during the trip was seeing a bin that had been recently emptied, yet the litter surrounding it had been completely ignored. This "Grade D" environment is exactly what the app is designed to track and report.
How You Can Help
We are encouraging more drivers, particularly professional drivers who spend a lot of time on the road, to use the app. There is no need to register, no charge, and nothing to download. By contributing data, you help build a clearer picture of the UK's litter problem.
You can use the app today by visiting https://cleanupbritain.app. Thanks so much, Mark, for your interest and interview.
At Start Software, we are proud to support environmental initiatives like this alongside our core work developing software such as Alpha Tracker UK for the asbestos and environmental consultancy industries.
PS for more information about the AI Litter Dashcam app, or how Robin's team built it for Clean Up Britain, watch https://youtu.be/hwrE_48eULk
PHP Incident and Alpha Tracker Security
The worldwide PHP incident is dominating the news coverage today, with the potential threat being so serious that websites around the world have been taken down.
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| https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/news/critical-security-issue-affecting-php |
We can confirm that Alpha Tracker is not affected by this incident. We are, however, currently applying an unrelated but important security patch to client systems. If we need to take your system offline to apply the patch, or need to involve your IT, we will be in touch to make the necessary arrangements.
As the PHP incident has shown, cyber security is extremely important and the potential impact of hackers using AI agents to exploit vulnerabilities is huge. At Alpha Tracker we take security very seriously and this is a good time to remind you of the sensible steps you can take to minimise your exposure to such threats:
- use complex passwords,
change them regularly and don’t re-use them across systems
- keep your Windows and
anti-virus software up-to-date, and apply security updates to all devices
as and when they become available
- use multi-factor
authentication (MFA) or Single Sign-On (SSO) wherever possible – Alpha
Tracker supports both
- always use the
latest version of Alpha Tracker.
Protecting Alpha Tracker and our clients' data remains a top priority for Start Software. We continually review and improve our security measures to help keep your systems safe and secure. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us in the UK or Australian/New Zealand.
(Security
Advisories B-11535/B-11543)
Dan attends the European EOS Conference in Birmingham
Our Development Manager, Dan, has been in Birmingham this week attending the European EOS Conference. As Start Software continues its journey with the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), the event provided a fantastic opportunity to gather new insights and share experiences with other business leaders.
Refining our EOS journey
We have been using EOS for some time now to help structure our growth and ensure we are delivering the best possible service to our Alpha Tracker UK and international clients. As we noted in our 20th-anniversary retrospective, we are constantly looking for ways to restructure and improve to ensure we remain a reliable partner for decades to come.
The conference, held at the European EOS Conference venue, featured a range of speakers including Gino Wickman, the creator of EOS, who shared his latest thinking on business mastery and leadership.
Practical takeaways for the team
One of the core strengths of EOS is its focus on practical, actionable tools. Dan spent the day exploring how we can further improve our "Rocks" (our 90-day priorities) and how to ensure our communication remains crystal clear as our team grows across the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.
Just as refresher training for Alpha Tracker users helps consultancies stay productive, attending these leadership sessions ensures that our management team stays sharp and focused on the company's long-term vision.
Looking ahead
It wasn't all serious business, however! The day concluded with some unexpected entertainment to wrap up a high-energy event. Dan is returning to the office with a notebook full of ideas to implement within our software development and support teams.
We are excited to weave these insights into our daily operations, helping us to build even better software and provide world-class support to our global user base.
Refresher training with Midlands Asbestos
Our Head of Training, Kim, has been back out on the road this week. She visited the team at Midlands Asbestos to deliver a series of refresher training sessions for their Alpha Tracker asbestos software.
Keeping skills sharp
As we mentioned in our recent post about Kim delivering advanced training sessions, one of the challenges for established users is staying up to date with the latest features and efficiencies. Asbestos consultancies are busy environments, and it is easy for staff to fall into old habits rather than using the newest, most productive workflows.
During her time with Midlands Asbestos, Kim focused on ensuring the team were comfortable with their current processes while introducing them to new time-saving features in the system.
Optimising the workflow
Refresher training is a fantastic way to identify "quick wins" for a business. Kim works with clients to look at several key areas, such as:
- Are surveyors using the latest Alpha Tracker Mobile features to capture data more quickly on-site?
- Is the lab and reporting process as automated as possible?
- Could automated invoicing help the accounts team save hours of manual data entry?
- Are clients getting the best experience via the online client portal?
If your team could benefit from a "gap analysis" or a training top-up, please do get in touch with our support team. We would love to help you get the very best out of Alpha Tracker.