The latest version of Alpha Tracker Document Maker, the Alpha Tracker module which creates asbestos reports and other documents for asbestos and environmental consultancies, has been released.
Version 1.4.377 SVN66 now supports the scaling of PDF drawings, plans and lab certificates for better results when incorporating them directly into asbestos reports.
This latest software release is available for immediate download from the Start Software website. Click this link to download the file. If you need any help to install the upgrade, please do get in touch with the support desk.
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Google's cloud is the fastest *and* cheapest?
We've been working a lot with virtual servers from Amazon lately. Virtual servers from Amazon are rent-able "cloud" servers which can be used for anything that real ("physical") servers can be used for - but they are actually sharing a physical computer's hardware with other virtual servers making them cheaper and easier to maintain.
A digression...
If the idea of virtual servers scrambles your brain then try thinking about this analogy. Suppose you need a PA in your business. You could either employ a real PA in your business OR you could rent the time from a virtual PA working in a call-centre. When the virtual PA isn't answering the phone for you, he or she may be answering the phone for another company helping you with their costs. Equally, if your virtual PA goes off sick, their work can be done by a colleague very easily - with much less hassle than if your employed PA went off and you had to find a replacement.
So... (a) sharing a real person's time is analogous to a virtual server sharing a real PC and
(b) switching to another virtual PA is the same as switching virtual servers if the original one has a problem (easier backup!).
All good? Not necessarily. Suppose you contract with The Virtual PA Company but you are not happy with their work - they take too long to answer the phone. So you switch companies to Virtual PAs R Us as they seem to offer a better service. Without realising it, you find that Virtual PAs R Us are actually using the same people to answer the phones - so you get the same bad performance as the service is actually provided by the same people!
This happens with virtual servers too - sometimes performance is poor and IT server staff adjust resources on the virtual servers to try to increase performance. However... if the physical boxes hosting the virtual ones are underpowered or over-committed then the virtual servers will always be slow.
Digression over - what's this got to do with the Amazon, Google or Microsoft cloud?
When you rent a virtual server you need to know that the physical hardware is going to be up to the job and not over-committed running too many virtual servers. A client has just sent this link over http://www.infoworld.com/article/2610403/cloud-computing/ultimate-cloud-speed-tests--amazon-vs--google-vs--windows-azure.html which demonstrates that Google's cloud servers are not only faster than Amazon's or Microsoft's but actually cheaper too.
If you need advice about switching your Alpha Tracker or other system to the cloud, do get in touch. In this fast-moving area it isn't easy to keep up and sometimes some plain-English advice can really help.
A digression...
If the idea of virtual servers scrambles your brain then try thinking about this analogy. Suppose you need a PA in your business. You could either employ a real PA in your business OR you could rent the time from a virtual PA working in a call-centre. When the virtual PA isn't answering the phone for you, he or she may be answering the phone for another company helping you with their costs. Equally, if your virtual PA goes off sick, their work can be done by a colleague very easily - with much less hassle than if your employed PA went off and you had to find a replacement.
So... (a) sharing a real person's time is analogous to a virtual server sharing a real PC and
(b) switching to another virtual PA is the same as switching virtual servers if the original one has a problem (easier backup!).
All good? Not necessarily. Suppose you contract with The Virtual PA Company but you are not happy with their work - they take too long to answer the phone. So you switch companies to Virtual PAs R Us as they seem to offer a better service. Without realising it, you find that Virtual PAs R Us are actually using the same people to answer the phones - so you get the same bad performance as the service is actually provided by the same people!
This happens with virtual servers too - sometimes performance is poor and IT server staff adjust resources on the virtual servers to try to increase performance. However... if the physical boxes hosting the virtual ones are underpowered or over-committed then the virtual servers will always be slow.
Digression over - what's this got to do with the Amazon, Google or Microsoft cloud?
When you rent a virtual server you need to know that the physical hardware is going to be up to the job and not over-committed running too many virtual servers. A client has just sent this link over http://www.infoworld.com/article/2610403/cloud-computing/ultimate-cloud-speed-tests--amazon-vs--google-vs--windows-azure.html which demonstrates that Google's cloud servers are not only faster than Amazon's or Microsoft's but actually cheaper too.
If you need advice about switching your Alpha Tracker or other system to the cloud, do get in touch. In this fast-moving area it isn't easy to keep up and sometimes some plain-English advice can really help.
Alpha Tracker is live at Tetra Consulting
What a week! Two of the biggest asbestos consultancies in the UK have gone live with Alpha Tracker, the end-to-end system for environmental, health & safety and asbestos businesses.
Tetra Consulting are one of our favourite clients. Based in Wandsworth, we have been working with Tetra's talented admin and field staff on a range of software projects over a number of years and have this week switched them to Alpha Tracker.
We're fast heading towards fifty (50!) asbestos consultancies using Alpha Tracker now joining our loyal customer base operating Tracker, the desktop version of the system. The consultancies range from the smallest one-person operations through to companies with hundreds of site and office staff.
Do contact us if you would like to discuss how Alpha Tracker could help your asbestos consultancy to save time and money. We'd love to hear from you.
Tetra Consulting are one of our favourite clients. Based in Wandsworth, we have been working with Tetra's talented admin and field staff on a range of software projects over a number of years and have this week switched them to Alpha Tracker.
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| Tetra Consulting's website - Tetra are our latest Alpha Tracker user |
We're fast heading towards fifty (50!) asbestos consultancies using Alpha Tracker now joining our loyal customer base operating Tracker, the desktop version of the system. The consultancies range from the smallest one-person operations through to companies with hundreds of site and office staff.
Do contact us if you would like to discuss how Alpha Tracker could help your asbestos consultancy to save time and money. We'd love to hear from you.
Shield Environmental go live with Alpha Tracker
Founded in 1979, Shield Environmental offers end to end asbestos, environmental and risk management services from its offices across the UK.
This week we have been busy at Shield's Bristol HQ training admin staff and management to use Alpha Tracker, the leading system for asbestos and environmental consultancies. Shield will be going live the New Year enabling their admin and field staff across the company to increase productivity and automate their operations.
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| Shield Environmental's website |
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| Shield - established in 1979! |
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| Shield's admin staff learning Alpha Tracker |
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| The full range of Shield's asbestos services |
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| The end of a long day - 24 new Alpha Tracker users trained! |
Start Software Support Stats - November 2014
The Start Software support desk (0845 612 2402) has had another difficult month but has managed to improve on October's disappointing stats (see http://robinbennett.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/support-stats-for-october-2014.html).
Last month we solved 95% of high priority issues on time and 88% of all queries logged. Altogether, we took just under 500 calls from customers needing help or asking questions.
Last month we solved 95% of high priority issues on time and 88% of all queries logged. Altogether, we took just under 500 calls from customers needing help or asking questions.
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| Start Software support statistics for November 2014 |
Alpha Tracker reaches version 1001!
1001 not out!
We've just released another update to Alpha Tracker, our software system for asbestos and environmental consultancies.
This was update SVN1001 - in other words, we've added over 1000 features and improvements since we started creating the system last year!
Some of the more recent updates are listed here - do take a look at the videos if you get chance:
http://robinbennett.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/november-2014s-update-to-alpha-tracker.html
http://robinbennett.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/october-2014s-update-to-alpha-tracker.html
http://robinbennett.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/september-2014s-update-to-alpha-tracker.html
http://robinbennett.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/august-2014s-monthly-update-to-alpha.html
http://robinbennett.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/alpha-tracker-major-update-svn387-now.html
Coming next are new lab features and massive improvements to the client portal. Watch this space...
Start Software - Christmas 2014 Opening Times
Let us be the first to wish you a Happy Christmas!
We'll only be closed on the Bank Holidays (Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day) so if you need us, call us! The normal support line 0845 612 2402 will be available 24x7 every working day.
Regular customers may receive a small token of our appreciation over the next few days - hope you enjoy the small gifts we have sent and thanks again for your business and support throughout 2014.
Hope you have a prosperous 2015.
Robin & Elaine
Start Software
We'll only be closed on the Bank Holidays (Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day) so if you need us, call us! The normal support line 0845 612 2402 will be available 24x7 every working day.
Regular customers may receive a small token of our appreciation over the next few days - hope you enjoy the small gifts we have sent and thanks again for your business and support throughout 2014.
Hope you have a prosperous 2015.
Robin & Elaine
Start Software
Global logistics system - Kontrol - goes live with support from Start Software
We've been working with a logistics consultancy over the last year or so to provide Alpha Five software development and support resource. The consultancy has now launched the fruit of our collective labours in the form of a major logistics system - Kontrol - which is now being used by manufacturers and logistics companies for asset tracking, control and charging.
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Angus Wolfendale, the consultancy's Managing Director, has been a delight to work with and as the live date has approached we've worked increasingly closely in order to get the software ready for launch.
MD Wolfendale was kind enough to say this today:
Thanks Angus and good luck.
MD Wolfendale was kind enough to say this today:
"We are pleased to
appoint Start Software as our support and development partner. They have
provided excellent support during the launch of our SaaS application to a global logistics organisation"
Thanks Angus and good luck.
November 2014's update to Alpha Tracker has been released (SVN962)
November 2014's monthly update to Alpha Tracker is now publicly available. This is update SVN962.
Here is a YouTube video which runs through some of the key changes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7e05A3dsj24. We've really focused on performance this month - the Project List in particular.
This November update has 110 new features, improvements and bug fixes to the software since the October update.
All new features are fully documented in both the release notes and updated User Guides.
In the video above you can see some of the key changes including the enhancements to the calendar.
For full details, see the release notes at the bottom of the Alpha Tracker product page for more information.
The update is ready to download and install through the Setup|System|Software Updates button. If you need help to run the update, please do contact the support desk.
Here is a YouTube video which runs through some of the key changes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7e05A3dsj24. We've really focused on performance this month - the Project List in particular.
This November update has 110 new features, improvements and bug fixes to the software since the October update.
All new features are fully documented in both the release notes and updated User Guides.
In the video above you can see some of the key changes including the enhancements to the calendar.
For full details, see the release notes at the bottom of the Alpha Tracker product page for more information.
The update is ready to download and install through the Setup|System|Software Updates button. If you need help to run the update, please do contact the support desk.
Don't you just love an ISO9001 visit!
We've had our 3-yearly ISO9001-2008 certification visit today... what fun!
New auditor, new checks, same result - we passed with flying colours thanks to our Quality Manager Kim's hard work.
As far as we know we are still the only asbestos software company with Quality accreditations (see http://robinbennett.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/result-of-iso90012008-audit.html and http://www.start-software.com/about-us/certifications/) - it is very hard work to keep to the quality standard but we think it is worthwhile. Hope you think so too!
New auditor, new checks, same result - we passed with flying colours thanks to our Quality Manager Kim's hard work.
As far as we know we are still the only asbestos software company with Quality accreditations (see http://robinbennett.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/result-of-iso90012008-audit.html and http://www.start-software.com/about-us/certifications/) - it is very hard work to keep to the quality standard but we think it is worthwhile. Hope you think so too!
November's Alpha Tracker update now at Beta 4
I was asked the other day what "beta" means when we are announcing software updates. November's update to our software for asbestos surveyors, Alpha Tracker, has reached "Beta 4" status, but what does that actually mean?
When we're developing software, we often show customers a very early version for their feedback. Sometimes this software is a long way off being complete and this is known as an "alpha" release. Nothing to do with Alpha the software platform or Alpha Tracker by the way...!
When the functionality in a piece of software is nearly complete and the final bugs are being found and dealt with, we call the release a "beta". So the release now available in Alpha Tracker is the 4th beta we have released for the November build and our beta testers are giving us feedback now. Please do let us know if you would like to join the list of beta testers.
When we're happy that the release is ready it stops being a beta and becomes a final version.
Hopefully November's release will be issued at the end of next week by the way and it has some lovely new features. Can't wait!
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| the new appointment scheduling facility in the November release |
When we're developing software, we often show customers a very early version for their feedback. Sometimes this software is a long way off being complete and this is known as an "alpha" release. Nothing to do with Alpha the software platform or Alpha Tracker by the way...!
When the functionality in a piece of software is nearly complete and the final bugs are being found and dealt with, we call the release a "beta". So the release now available in Alpha Tracker is the 4th beta we have released for the November build and our beta testers are giving us feedback now. Please do let us know if you would like to join the list of beta testers.
When we're happy that the release is ready it stops being a beta and becomes a final version.
Hopefully November's release will be issued at the end of next week by the way and it has some lovely new features. Can't wait!
Start Software 2013-14 and forward plans
Our financial year has just come to a close (it runs October - September) and so we've been looking back on our trading results for 2013-14 and looking forward to 2014-15.
The draft accounts for the year just gone look fine - turnover is up slightly and profit looks OK too. We've had to write off a lot of bad debts, more than in previous years, but new orders and the continued popularity of our asbestos systems (eg Alpha Tracker) and Alpha Anywhere-based apps in general is helping us to consolidate and grow.
In fact, we have more employees than ever before now with two new software developers joining us as apprentices last month. Tom and Jack have already made an impact and are working as extra pairs of hands on a number of systems.
Finally, we're all very aware that you have a wide choice of software providers. Some of our customers have continued to use and trust us for well over a decade now and we really appreciate your loyalty, business and support. The 2013-14 figures should give you confidence that we are on a safe and sound financial footing and that you can continue to trust us with your business in the future.
The draft accounts for the year just gone look fine - turnover is up slightly and profit looks OK too. We've had to write off a lot of bad debts, more than in previous years, but new orders and the continued popularity of our asbestos systems (eg Alpha Tracker) and Alpha Anywhere-based apps in general is helping us to consolidate and grow.
In fact, we have more employees than ever before now with two new software developers joining us as apprentices last month. Tom and Jack have already made an impact and are working as extra pairs of hands on a number of systems.
Finally, we're all very aware that you have a wide choice of software providers. Some of our customers have continued to use and trust us for well over a decade now and we really appreciate your loyalty, business and support. The 2013-14 figures should give you confidence that we are on a safe and sound financial footing and that you can continue to trust us with your business in the future.
October 2014's update to Alpha Tracker has been released (SVN855)
October 2014's monthly update to Alpha Tracker is now publicly available. This is update SVN855.
Here is a YouTube video which runs through the five key changes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1cMcGoU9Mk
Incredibly... the October update has 125 new features, improvements and bug fixes to the software since the September update.
All new features are fully documented in both the release notes and updated User Guides.
The video above runs through 5 of the key new features including searching and sorting in the document window which finishes off the improvements to this important aspect of the system and several improvements to the flow of data when performing asbestos re-inspections.
For full details, see the release notes at the bottom of the Alpha Tracker product page for more information.
The update is ready to download and install through the Setup|System|Software Updates button. If you need help to run the update, please do contact the support desk.
Here is a YouTube video which runs through the five key changes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1cMcGoU9Mk
Incredibly... the October update has 125 new features, improvements and bug fixes to the software since the September update.
All new features are fully documented in both the release notes and updated User Guides.
The video above runs through 5 of the key new features including searching and sorting in the document window which finishes off the improvements to this important aspect of the system and several improvements to the flow of data when performing asbestos re-inspections.
For full details, see the release notes at the bottom of the Alpha Tracker product page for more information.
The update is ready to download and install through the Setup|System|Software Updates button. If you need help to run the update, please do contact the support desk.
AlphaValidator v1.0.53 SVN19 released
This important update to AlphaValidator (v1.0.53 SVN19) gives the surveyor a new opportunity to "sign off" their submitted data before leaving site.
AlphaValidator is an important module within the Alpha Tracker family of asbestos software for environmental consultancies. It checks data submitted by surveyors for problems or potential problems and emails them a "traffic light" red/amber/green report as soon as their data is uploaded.
This update to the module also enables the surveyor to formally "sign off" the data as being correct in their opinion:
Please contact the office if you would like help applying the update. Please note that your copy of Tracker Upload Manager needs to be at version v1.0.172 SVN34 or higher before you apply this update.
AlphaValidator is an important module within the Alpha Tracker family of asbestos software for environmental consultancies. It checks data submitted by surveyors for problems or potential problems and emails them a "traffic light" red/amber/green report as soon as their data is uploaded.
This update to the module also enables the surveyor to formally "sign off" the data as being correct in their opinion:
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| Example AlphaValidator report with sign-off link highlighted |
Alpha Tracker Document Maker v1.4.147 SVN58 released
The latest update to Alpha Tracker Document Maker has been released on our website ready for download.
This a minor update with improved quotation formatting.
Please contact the office if you would like help applying the update to your Alpha Tracker asbestos system.
This a minor update with improved quotation formatting.
Please contact the office if you would like help applying the update to your Alpha Tracker asbestos system.
Tracker Web Server v1.5.515 SVN78 released
The latest update to Tracker Web Server, the online portal for the Tracker asbestos software system, has been released.
Tracker Web Server v1.5.515 SVN78 is a bug-fix release and also contains important updates relating to:
- SSL (secure) connections
- the ability to show customised messages to client for individual sites
- client notes and a new option to allow them to be optionally suppressed on registers.
Please contact the office if you would like help downloading and applying the update.
Tracker Web Server v1.5.515 SVN78 is a bug-fix release and also contains important updates relating to:
- SSL (secure) connections
- the ability to show customised messages to client for individual sites
- client notes and a new option to allow them to be optionally suppressed on registers.
Please contact the office if you would like help downloading and applying the update.
Support stats for October 2014
We've had a really challenging month on the support desk.
Three client systems suffered critical failures in the same week which caused our support call volumes to more than double at the same time that the help desk staff were short-handed due to holiday and illness.
The result is as follows - a real dip in performance and we apologise if you were affected by the stress that the support staff were under:
We still managed to resolve 91% of high priority calls in time - but the other calls suffered and we dropped to 83%.
Three client systems suffered critical failures in the same week which caused our support call volumes to more than double at the same time that the help desk staff were short-handed due to holiday and illness.
The result is as follows - a real dip in performance and we apologise if you were affected by the stress that the support staff were under:
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| Start Software support stats for October 2014 |
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Month
|
In
time (%)
|
In
time (H) (%)
|
In
time (total)
|
In
time (H) (total)
|
Total
solved
|
|
2014-10
|
83.10
|
91.19
|
467
|
176
|
562
|
|
2014-09
|
93.72
|
95.29
|
448
|
162
|
478
|
|
2014-08
|
90.57
|
94.30
|
413
|
149
|
456
|
|
2014-07
|
88.60
|
91.32
|
513
|
200
|
579
|
|
2014-06
|
91.57
|
96.22
|
456
|
178
|
498
|
|
2014-05
|
87.99
|
91.61
|
403
|
142
|
458
|
|
|
|
|
2700
|
1007
|
3031
|
If you have any concerns, please contact Support Director Elaine Porter on 0845 612 2402.
ASM Compliance go live with Alpha Tracker
Our latest asbestos consultancy partner - ASM Compliance - has gone live with Alpha Tracker today.
ASM Compliance provide asbestos and safety management surveys for all industries and are based in South Wales. Their admin and field staff received their training today to become familiar with Alpha Tracker and Tracker Mobile on their Samsung tablets.
Here are some images taken during the training sessions of their experienced asbestos staff learning to use their new time-saving technology:
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| ASM Compliance's website |
ASM Compliance provide asbestos and safety management surveys for all industries and are based in South Wales. Their admin and field staff received their training today to become familiar with Alpha Tracker and Tracker Mobile on their Samsung tablets.
Here are some images taken during the training sessions of their experienced asbestos staff learning to use their new time-saving technology:
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| The Alpha Tracker training session in full swing |
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| An experience asbestos surveyor practising Tracker Mobile |
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| One of ASM's fleet of vehicles |
Alpha Conference 2014 - watch the presentations yourself!
Dan & I attended the Alpha Software worldwide developer conference in Boston earlier this month.
Alpha have just released all of the presentations from the conference (including my own modest performance!). Here is a link to their website so you can watch the presentations yourself: http://alphasoftware.com/conf2014/
Alpha have just released all of the presentations from the conference (including my own modest performance!). Here is a link to their website so you can watch the presentations yourself: http://alphasoftware.com/conf2014/
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| See Start Software's contribution to the Alpha conference here |
Mobile Data Studio 7.3.1 has been released
We're delighted to announce the release of Mobile Data 7.3.1 from our partners CreativityCorp.
For all our asbestos surveyors using Tracker Mobile this will make life easier in a number of ways. Not least because future updates (even to Android smartphones and tablets) can now be sent through automatically.
Thanks Neil and team at CreativityCorp for this important update.
For all our asbestos surveyors using Tracker Mobile this will make life easier in a number of ways. Not least because future updates (even to Android smartphones and tablets) can now be sent through automatically.
Thanks Neil and team at CreativityCorp for this important update.
20,000th customer call logged
Just a few weeks after our 1,000th quality-checked software change, another landmark for Start Software has arrived - our 20,000th customer call logged.
We started logging calls back in December 2003 when we received 13 customer calls during the month asking for help or reporting a bug. We've got a bit busier since then with 500 calls logged and responded to last month alone!
In those 10 years we've stuck to a guiding principle that you - our customer - should decide the time-scale in which you need an answer and we should judge our performance on that basis and not on an arbitrary set of priorities which mean nothing to you.
On that basis, we regular answer 90% of calls in time or ahead of schedule and that's a statistic we're really proud of.
If you would like to discuss any aspect of our support service, please contact Elaine our Support Director via 0845 612 2402.
We started logging calls back in December 2003 when we received 13 customer calls during the month asking for help or reporting a bug. We've got a bit busier since then with 500 calls logged and responded to last month alone!
In those 10 years we've stuck to a guiding principle that you - our customer - should decide the time-scale in which you need an answer and we should judge our performance on that basis and not on an arbitrary set of priorities which mean nothing to you.
On that basis, we regular answer 90% of calls in time or ahead of schedule and that's a statistic we're really proud of.
If you would like to discuss any aspect of our support service, please contact Elaine our Support Director via 0845 612 2402.
Tracker Upload Manager updated to v1.0.161 SVN32
Tracker Upload Manager, the Tracker & Alpha Tracker component that handles the processing of data from asbestos surveyors and other field staff, has been updated to v1.0.161 SVN32 and is available for immediate download.
This version has improved photo processing features and performs better for consultancies with 100+ asbestos surveyors.
Please do contact the office for more information or if you need help installing the update.
This version has improved photo processing features and performs better for consultancies with 100+ asbestos surveyors.
Please do contact the office for more information or if you need help installing the update.
September 2014's update to Alpha Tracker has been released (SVN730)
September 2014's monthly update to Alpha Tracker is now publicly available. This is update SVN730.
Here is a YouTube video which runs through the key changes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3LfrohRfVM
The September update has nearly 40 improvements and 11 bug fixes to the software since the August update.
All new features are fully documented in both the release notes and updated User Guides.
The video above runs through 10 of the key new features including unlimited drag & drop file uploads which should please all admin staff!
For full details, see the release notes at the bottom of the Alpha Tracker product page for more information.
The update is ready to download and install through the Setup|System|Software Updates button. If you need help to run the update, please do contact the support desk.
Here is a YouTube video which runs through the key changes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3LfrohRfVM
The September update has nearly 40 improvements and 11 bug fixes to the software since the August update.
All new features are fully documented in both the release notes and updated User Guides.
The video above runs through 10 of the key new features including unlimited drag & drop file uploads which should please all admin staff!
For full details, see the release notes at the bottom of the Alpha Tracker product page for more information.
The update is ready to download and install through the Setup|System|Software Updates button. If you need help to run the update, please do contact the support desk.
AlphaValidator update released
AlphaValidator v1.0.39 SVN19 is now available for download from http://alpha-tracker.co.uk/asbestos.
AlphaValidator is the latest Tracker and Alpha Tracker module with facilities to automatically check data sent in by asbestos surveyors and other field staff; check data pre-report generation and check financial information before invoices are raised.
The latest version, v1.0.36 SVN19, has improved the checking of data pre-invoicing.
Please do call the office on 0845 612 2402 for more information or contact the support desk here: http://www.start-software.com/support/
AlphaValidator is the latest Tracker and Alpha Tracker module with facilities to automatically check data sent in by asbestos surveyors and other field staff; check data pre-report generation and check financial information before invoices are raised.
The latest version, v1.0.36 SVN19, has improved the checking of data pre-invoicing.
Please do call the office on 0845 612 2402 for more information or contact the support desk here: http://www.start-software.com/support/
Latest Tracker Dashboard released
The latest update to Tracker Dashboard is now available for download from http://alpha-tracker.co.uk/asbestos.
This is a minor update and is not needed unless you are having problems with alert emails not being delivered. Tracker Dashboard v1.0.246 SVN51 has improved processing of "blind copies" (BCC) email recipients to suit more mail servers.
Asbestos and other environmental consultancies running Tracker or Alpha Tracker use Tracker Dashboard to send automated emails to staff with action lists, company statistics and system alerts.
If you need help installing the update, please do contact the office as usual.
This is a minor update and is not needed unless you are having problems with alert emails not being delivered. Tracker Dashboard v1.0.246 SVN51 has improved processing of "blind copies" (BCC) email recipients to suit more mail servers.
Asbestos and other environmental consultancies running Tracker or Alpha Tracker use Tracker Dashboard to send automated emails to staff with action lists, company statistics and system alerts.
If you need help installing the update, please do contact the office as usual.
Start Software at the Alpha Software Worldwide Developer Conference
Dan & I have been attending the Alpha Software conference in Boston all week (https://twitter.com/hashtag/alphadev) to learn about the new features coming into their products and how they will help Start Software to build better, faster, more flexible software for our customers.
We use Alpha products extensively for our software systems (including Alpha Tracker) and we are Alpha's UK professional partners. Using Alpha as a development framework means that we can build software systems quickly and for a wide variety of devices including web browsers on PCs and laptops, iPads, Android tablets, smartphones and even smart cameras.
It's been a great week - we've learned a lot, we've met other Alpha developers and potential partners from all around the world, and we've got to meet the Alpha staff who we deal with by Skype every day of the week.
On a personal note, I've also got to meet one of my professional heroes - Dan Bricklin - known as the father of the spreadsheet.
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| Robin & Dan amongst the 150 other delegates |
It's been a great week - we've learned a lot, we've met other Alpha developers and potential partners from all around the world, and we've got to meet the Alpha staff who we deal with by Skype every day of the week.
On a personal note, I've also got to meet one of my professional heroes - Dan Bricklin - known as the father of the spreadsheet.
 |
| Robin with Dan Bricklin just before Robin's presentation to the conference |
 |
| Dan hard at work finalising September's update to Alpha Tracker |
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| Dan, Selwyn Rabins (Alpha Software's President) and Robin |
Start Software's support stats for September 2014
Congratulations to the support team - our call stats this month are really first class.
This month more than 95% of the 162 high priority support calls received were resolved in the time frame requested by our clients - that's our best performance for a year.
 |
| September's support stats at Start Software - the best month in a year |
|
Month
|
In
time (%)
|
In
time (H) (%)
|
In
time (total)
|
In
time (H) (total)
|
Total
solved
|
|
2014-09
|
93.72
|
95.29
|
448
|
162
|
478
|
|
2014-08
|
90.57
|
94.30
|
413
|
149
|
456
|
|
2014-07
|
88.60
|
91.32
|
513
|
200
|
579
|
|
2014-06
|
91.57
|
96.22
|
456
|
178
|
498
|
|
2014-05
|
87.99
|
91.61
|
403
|
142
|
458
|
|
2014-04
|
88.86
|
88.41
|
375
|
122
|
422
|
|
|
|
|
2608
|
953
|
2891
|
Overall, 448 out of 478 problems and questions logged by the support desk were resolved on time - that's quite a feat!
Asbestos consultancy Salvum goes live with Alpha Tracker
 |
| Salvum HQ |
"Salvum" is the latin for "safe" and that is the consultancy's number 1 priority - through their professional delivery of asbestos and other health & safety services they strive to ensure the safest of environments for their clients.
From their offices in Essex, Salvum offer first-rate asbestos and other health & safety services to companies, commercial property agents, landlords and private property owners nationwide.
 |
| Salvum's excellent and informative website |
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| Some of the Salvum surveyors getting to grips with Tracker Mobile |
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| Salvum's fleet of vehicles |
Tracker Web Server v1.5.500 SVN76 now available
This is a minor update to Tracker Web Server, our complete compliance management tool for asbestos and environmental consultancies running the Tracker system.
This latest release, available from http://start-software.com/tracker/modules/tracker-web-server/ has improved performance and document download features.
For more information or if you need help to install the update, please contact the office.
This latest release, available from http://start-software.com/tracker/modules/tracker-web-server/ has improved performance and document download features.
For more information or if you need help to install the update, please contact the office.
1000 Quality Checked changes complete!
Since 1 April 2014 we've been double-checking every software change and customer problem solved. These checks are part of a new process to further reduce the number of bugs and annoyances that reach our customers. We know how grim it is when we make a mistake and issue you with software that doesn't work as you want it to.
You might have spotted the "QN" numbers we have been referring to in our emails. These are our Quality Numbers and each check has been logged in our control system.
In only 6 months we've reached our 1000th "QN" and the wonderful Cathy at IOM was the customer responsible for the change. So... congratulations Cathy, a bottle of somethingcheap special is on its way up to you to mark the occasion!
You might have spotted the "QN" numbers we have been referring to in our emails. These are our Quality Numbers and each check has been logged in our control system.
In only 6 months we've reached our 1000th "QN" and the wonderful Cathy at IOM was the customer responsible for the change. So... congratulations Cathy, a bottle of something
Resource Tracker v1.0.649 SVN42 now available for download
Resource Tracker is the diary and scheduling system for Tracker.
The latest release, v1.0.649 SVN42, has many performance improvements and improving emailing capabilities.
You can download the latest version from here: http://start-software.com/tracker/modules/resource-tracker/
The latest release, v1.0.649 SVN42, has many performance improvements and improving emailing capabilities.
You can download the latest version from here: http://start-software.com/tracker/modules/resource-tracker/
Alpha Tracker Document Maker updated - v1.4.336 SVN56
The latest Alpha Tracker Document Maker is now available for download from http://alpha-tracker.co.uk/asbestos.
Alpha Tracker Document Maker produces quotations, project documents, asbestos surveys and asbestos re-inspections for asbestos consultancies and asbestos surveyors using the Alpha Tracker software system.
The latest release, v1.4.336 SVN56, has improved the document production process for project-based documents such as method statements and plans of work.
Alpha Tracker Document Maker produces quotations, project documents, asbestos surveys and asbestos re-inspections for asbestos consultancies and asbestos surveyors using the Alpha Tracker software system.
The latest release, v1.4.336 SVN56, has improved the document production process for project-based documents such as method statements and plans of work.
Latest Alpha Tracker Document Maker now available - v1.4.334 SVN55
The latest version of the Alpha Tracker Document Maker module is now available for download from http://alpha-tracker.co.uk/asbestos.
Alpha Tracker Document Maker produces quotations, project documents, asbestos surveys and asbestos re-inspections for asbestos consultancies and asbestos surveyors using the Alpha Tracker software system.
The latest version, v1.4.334 SVN55, has a number of performance, logging and stability improvements and is available for immediate download.
Alpha Tracker Document Maker produces quotations, project documents, asbestos surveys and asbestos re-inspections for asbestos consultancies and asbestos surveyors using the Alpha Tracker software system.
The latest version, v1.4.334 SVN55, has a number of performance, logging and stability improvements and is available for immediate download.