Radon module now available for Tracker

We now have a Radon testing module ready for Tracker.

The module comprises a mobile data entry form compatible with our usual handsets and software, a new "Radon" project type and associated screen, and the automated report production facility.

The price of the new module is just £950+vat and can be ordered now from Elaine (sales@start-software.co.uk)

Financial results for Start Software 2011-12

I've just "done the numbers" for our financial year 2011-12.

Despite the economy being flat we've increased turnover by 12% and profit by 2.5% which means that this has been our best ever year here at Start Software.  This is all due to the hard work and dedication of the team here and the loyalty of our customers - thanks to you all.

During the year, we've invested over 25% of our income into new software product research and development and we expect this investment to deliver results on the bottom line this coming year and next.

Thanks again to you, our customers, for your support this year.  You are the reason we come to work and we will continue to strive to deliver the software and services your business needs this coming year.

Resource Tracker v1.0.595 SVN29 released

The latest Resource Tracker release (v1.0.595 SVN29) is now available.

This build brings a number of performance enhancements especially when dealing with large numbers of staff (>100).

Please contact the office if you would like this release.

Web Resource Tracker prototyped

An entirely new build of Resource Tracker is under way completely rewritten from the ground up.

We've gone with a web interface to the diary which is fast, slick and much more "friendly" than the existing Resource Tracker.

Dan's early prototypes are working well and we're now testing the system on large datasets to check that performance will be good no matter how many staff or appointments are in the system.

Contact Robin if you would like to arrange a early viewing of the new system.

Latest problem solved analysis statistics

Kim and I have just done our monthly analysis of the time it has taken us to resolve queries and problems raised by customers and here is the latest graph showing the results:

We've got data going back to 2003 as you can see... and what's clear from the results is that we have got better and better over the years at meeting the deadlines set by our customers.  The blue line is the analysis for *all* problems and queries raised; the red one shows the results for problems marked as high priority.

I'm really proud of these results and I enjoy showing them to customers who have long memories and remember the days when we were less professional about our call logging!

First support video posted on YouTube

We've previously posted support videos on our own web site here: http://start-software.com/support/help-videos/

For most clients, this has worked fine but some (especially those with iPads) have struggled to get the videos to play.  One such client had a problem this week and needed us to show him how to restart Mobile Data Studio (Tracker Mobile) if surveyors were struggling to send their data in.

YouTube turned out to be the solution!  Uploading the video to YouTube put it into a format which his iPad was happy to display... problem solved!

If you would like to see a support video relating to any of our software packages, contact the office (support@start-software.co.uk) and we'll upload a video to YouTube for you.

Every suggestion made will get you a box of chocolates so get suggesting!

Resource Tracker v1.0.590 SVN27 released

This is a minor bug-fix and performance release.  In particular, issues relating to the automatic updating of Tracker's "Project Staff" tab from Resource Tracker have been resolved.

Please contact the office if you would like the updated file for your system.

Tracker iPad laboratory data capture - first lab live

We've been working with a new Tracker client on an iPad-based lab data entry system so that each lab analyst can record their asbestos fibre analysis results directly on their own iPad without the need for individual PCs.

The process is now working well and the first lab is running their checks through.  Looking good so far!

(PS the same software and process would also enable lab data entry on Android tablets such as the new Samsung Nexus)