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Showing posts from July, 2018

About Start Software

Start Software is an award-winning developer and leading publisher of asbestos software, systems for the legal services industry and more.

Want to know more about asbestos software Alpha Tracker? Alpha Tracker is the most used asbestos software in the UK, Australia & New Zealand with more than 60m items of asbestos data stored.

Our legal services software Alpha Legal helps will writers, accountants, solicitors, IFAs and estate agents to communicate securely with clients. Read about developments here on the blog.

Or need help with Alpha Anywhere or Alpha Transform projects or software development? You'll find useful info here.

AMC Asbestos go live with asbestos software Alpha Tracker

The asbestos professionals at AMC Asbestos have just gone live with asbestos software Alpha Tracker.

The asbestos team at AMC Asbestos

Our trainer Kim visited the asbestos surveyors at their Pocklington base to train them on the use of our site data capture system, Tracker Mobile, as well as the back-office Alpha Tracker software.

AMC Asbestos's excellent website
With their motto of "taking the stress out of asbestos", AMC offers the full range of asbestos-related services and are looking forward to improving their efficiency and productivity.

Welcome to the Alpha Tracker family and we look forward to working with you in the future.





Microsoft Windows Update patches - successful!

Further to our recent posts about the buggy July Windows Updates...

http://robinbennett.blogspot.com/2018/07/windows-updates-causing-havoc-this-week.html
http://robinbennett.blogspot.com/2018/07/more-info-about-problematic-windows.html
http://robinbennett.blogspot.com/2018/07/microsoft-patch-their-problem-windows.html

...we're really pleased to say that the patches that Microsoft have issued since have cured the problems that our asbestos software Alpha Tracker users have been experiencing.

If you need any more help or info, please contact our support desk.

Microsoft patch their problem Windows Updates

It looks like Microsoft have patched their faulty July Windows Updates and the update will be rolling out to servers shortly.

We are testing the patches on our test Alpha Tracker servers and will publish more info here when we have it.

More info about the problematic Windows Updates from last week

We blogged last week about the July Windows Updates causing havoc to servers around the world.

More information has emerged about the impact of the updates, including the issues being caused to IIS and SQL Server, the bedrock of most web-based systems.

In particular, for Alpha Tracker asbestos software users, you may find that servers which have had the updates applied do not allow you to log in or may only run for a few minutes before having an issue.  The solution is to get the Windows Updates uninstalled for now and tell the server not to install them again.  Our support desk can give you more specific information if you need it.

Microsoft is working on a solution and you can read more information here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-nz/help/4338815/windows-81-update-kb4338815



Another London council changes system to Alpha Tracker

We've just received notification of another Alpha Tracker asbestos software order.

In this case, the order has come from a large London council after deciding to swap their system to Alpha Tracker.

We'll post more information when the council goes live and we've moved all of their in-house asbestos surveying team over to their new software.

I thought summer was going to be quiet!!

Windows Updates causing havoc this week

Automatically applied Windows Updates from Microsoft have caused problems across the globe this week, and some Alpha Tracker users have also been affected.

Two security patches from Microsoft were released this week and have been automatically applied to many servers.  Once installed, the web server software which powers asbestos software Alpha Tracker either won't restart or will restart but then fail after a short time in use.

Our support desk became aware of the issue yesterday morning and quickly established that the Windows Updates were the root cause of the issue.  We are resolving the issue as it arises and contacting IT support companies who service our clients' systems so that everyone is aware of the problem and how to fix it.

We are sorry that these updates from Microsoft have caused issues for our clients.  Generally speaking, these server updates from Microsoft are a really good thing (providing security and performance improvements, generally) but occasionally they do go wrong.  Hopefully we won't have another occurrence like this in a long time!

Another NATA endorsed asbestos laboratory is switching to Alpha Tracker

Our order line is as hot as the weather!


Another National Association of Testing Authority (NATA) endorsed Australian asbestos laboratory has placed an order for asbestos software Alpha Tracker.

The lab, with headquarters in Victoria, will be switching to Alpha Tracker later this summer.

Watch this space for more info!


Specialist asbestos consultancy TACsurveys chooses asbestos software Alpha Tracker

UK Midlands-based asbestos & legionella specialist TACsurveys have chosen asbestos software Alpha Tracker to run their operation.



TACsurvey's asbestos specialists identify and provide their clients with recommendations for the suitable management of any asbestos containing materials

the TACsurveys excellent, modern web site

TACsurveys specialise in all areas of HSG264-compliant asbestos surveying, asbestos management and ACOP L8 legionella risk assessments. All of their surveyors have a minimum of BOHS P402 and are regularly audited using strict in-house management systems.

You can contact via email info@tacsurveys.co.uk or on 01332 974665.

Eastland Envirocheck choose Alpha Tracker to deliver their asbestos services

We're really pleased to announce that another environmental consultancy - Eastland Envirocheck - has chosen asbestos software Alpha Tracker to deliver their professional asbestos services.




Eastland Envirocheck, based in Gisborne, New Zealand will be using Alpha Tracker to deliver their full range of asbestos services to clients alongside their other environmental services including Methamphetamine testing for all types of property.

For more information about Eastland's services, contact info@eastlandenvirocheck.co.nz

Can we help your asbestos business to increase efficiency and reduce administration?  Do get in touch (UK or New Zealand/Australia)

Protec Group choose asbestos system Alpha Tracker

Auckland-based Protec have chosen Alpha Tracker to be their asbestos software and we are delighted to welcome them to our increasingly large extended Alpha Tracker family!


Judy & Leanne will be servicing their business from our Adelaide office and are focused on getting Protec up and running as smoothly as possible.

Well-known for their wide range of compliance and training services within the hazardous materials sector,  Protec will be using Tracker Mobile and Alpha Tracker to automate their asbestos operation to give their clients the best possible service.

For more information about Protec Group's services, do contact them here admin@weareprotec.co.nz

*Blush* lovely client closing remarks after selling his business

We've just had an email from a software development client who has sold his business and is now heading towards a long and happy retirement.

He emailed to say:

"May I say a huge thanks for all you help over the years..... The best IT company I have ever dealt with in terms of understanding the Customer's needs and talking in plain English. It has been a pleasure and if I can help in any way going forward please let me know"

How kind!

Support desk performance in June 2018

Following on from May's stats, June turned out to be another busy month with 561 calls taken.

92% of the high priority calls were solved within the 2 hour deadline which is a good result given how busy we were.


As you can see from the chart, above, this is a slight dip in performance but, looking at all types of problems (including the low priority ones) our response times have been slightly better than they were in May.

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