Alpha Tracker Release 33 highlights

We're really pleased with Release 33 of our asbestos software, Alpha Tracker, and hope you are too!

We've called this update the "AI" release as we've added intelligence into so many areas of the system.  Here's a short highlights video to show you three new features in particular:

1. Fibre analysis screen changes for quicker data entry, better display on smaller screens, and extra flexibility for your asbestos lab
   
   
2. Our intelligent Alpha Validator checks are now built into the Survey Data screen
   
   
3. A new follow-up system and improved display of quotations to help you to chase and win business.

If you need help updating your system please do get in touch - we're here 24x7 in person to help you.

Alpha Tracker Release 33 - the "AI" release - is now available

We've been hard at work adding extra features to our asbestos software platform, Alpha Tracker.

Release 33 is now available with more than 450 new features, bug fixes and performance improvements.  Yes, more than 450!!  In this release, we've focused on "AI" powered features adding intelligence and convenience to many parts of the system including:

• a vastly improved experience for the lab when using the new fibre analysis features
  
  
• a completely rewritten quotation sub-system with improved graphics and follow-up workflow
  
  
• immediate, intelligent data checks on asbestos data submitted by asbestos software from the field helping you get your asbestos reports right first time!  

Alpha Tracker's redesigned quotation sub-system

Release 33 is the update to Alpha Tracker Release 32 which was made publicly available back in the Spring.

Keep an eye on the blog for the video introducing the new features and the full set of release notes.  They should both be available in the next few days.

Release 34 is now underway and is the "cloud release" with more features linking Alpha Tracker to the cloud for document storage and improved editing of reports and other documents.

Alpha Legal protects you and your clients from identity theft - read why that is *so* important for businesses and business owners

Here's a great article explaining why identity theft is *so* important for businesses and business owners: https://www.csoonline.com/article/3575547/identity-theft-explained-why-businesses-make-tempting-targets.html.  

Alpha Legal protects you and protects your clients.  It takes 2 minutes to sign up - give us a try!

Hundreds of UK teachers have died from asbestos exposure over the last 15 years

Elaine spotted this piece of dreadful asbestos-related news: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/scandal-almost-300-british-teachers-22787332.  Nearly 300 British teachers have died from exposure to asbestos in the last 15 years.

The general public still believes, mistakenly, that asbestos is an "old problem" because the dangers have been known for years and it is no longer used as a construction material.

However, our asbestos software Alpha Tracker is capturing information about asbestos in situ in buildings across the UK and beyond each and every day, with hundreds of asbestos surveyors using the Tracker Mobile software to find more asbestos in buildings year-on-year.  We already have the biggest database of asbestos items in the world (we believe) with more than 30,000,000 items of data collected in our system.

As a company, we will continue to raise awareness about asbestos through our software and our links with Mesothelioma UK, our corporate charity.

Today's Wills and Probate Roundtable write-up published

Today's Wills and Probate write-up of the round-table event has been published here: https://www.todayswillsandprobate.co.uk/main-news/roundtable-brings-risks-to-the-forefront-of-delegates-minds/

It's worth a read if you're interested in reducing risk in your legal practice and, in particular, how Alpha Legal can help. 

Clean Air Asbestos Solutions chooses asbestos software Alpha Tracker

We've had another order for asbestos software Alpha Tracker this morning.

Clean Air Asbestos Solutions has chosen Alpha Tracker to improve efficiency and client service.

Their list of asbestos services is comprehensive, including asbestos testing, asbestos surveying, asbestos remediation and more.

We'll post again once Clean Air goes live with Alpha Tracker - but welcome to the Alpha Tracker family in the meantime!

MDK Analytical switch to asbestos software Alpha Tracker

We love training new Alpha Tracker users!

Yesterday, it was the turn of MDK Analytical to receive their Zoom training from Kim.  MDK Analytical is one of Ireland's longest-serving providers of asbestos consultancy services.  Their excellent website has useful asbestos-related content and lists all of the ways you can contact them to discuss their services.

Welcome, MDK, to the Alpha Tracker asbestos software family!

Another example of how ID theft can ruin a business - and how emails are often the cause!

Our Alpha Legal system is designed to take the risk out of secure client communication.  Asking for ID documents by email is a recipe for disaster!  Emails are not secure and there are countless ways that a hacker can intercept, read and even amend an email without the recipient realising.

Elaine just happened on this post which explains the dangers of ID theft really clearly: https://www.csoonline.com/article/3575547/identity-theft-explained-why-businesses-make-tempting-targets.html

Are you asking for ID documents by email?  Stop!  Try Alpha Legal instead from only £10/month.

Start Software's presentation to Alpha DevCon 2020 - our rebuild of the OnTimeCare app

We enjoyed presenting to the Alpha DevCon 2020 attendees on Friday.  We chose to show off our rebuild of the OnTimeCare app for Patient Innovations.

It was quite late in the evening here in the UK so I look a bit bleary-eyed! But hope you enjoy the presentation if you want to see the quality of the work we can do using the awesome Alpha Anywhere platform:

Can we help you to finish a troublesome long-running software development project?  Or start something new to help you and your business?  Software development projects are our bread-and-butter... so do get in touch!

Risks of using email for secure communications raised at legal industry round-table event

We were pleased to be part of an industry round-table event hosted by Today's Wills and Probate where we discussed risk in the legal industry, in particular in the setting of the COVID-19 "new normal".  So many solicitors and will writers are now only dealing with clients by virtual or remote means and so issues surrounding cybersecurity and safe working are even more important than usual.

Our Alpha Legal products solves one of the risk issues facing solicitors and will writers today.  Emails are not safe - simple as that - yet so many in the industry are still using emails to request ID documents or confirm bank details.  Alpha Legal is an easy, safe and secure way to ask for sensitive and confidential information - and it's incredibly easy for your clients to use, too.

Come and have a look at Alpha Legal for yourself.  Subscriptions start from only £10/month and you can cancel at any time.

Asbestos training plummets during Coronavirus pandemic

This is worrying.  The UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) has announced that the level of asbestos training in the construction industry has dropped to a 5-year low.

Prior to the Coronavirus crisis, an average of 18,000 workers a month completed asbestos training. Over the last six months (March-August), an average of 6,000 workers a month undertook asbestos training delivered by UKATA-approved training providers, a fall of more than 66%.

As a reminder, more than 5,000 people a year die in the UK from asbestos-related diseases and the number continues to rise.

As a company, we do everything we can to promote the awareness of asbestos and the importance of safe management and working practices alongside sound asbestos software (eg Alpha Tracker).  We hope that this drop in the level of training proves to be a "blip" and that it returns to normal throughout the rest of 2020.

Alpha Tracker Release 33 ready next week

The latest version of asbestos software Alpha Tracker, Release 33, will be publicly available next week.

The quotation engine has had a major revamp and we think you'll like the new colour coding and built-in follow-up mechanisms.

We've also improved the client portal again with new graphs and dashboards available for your customers to use.

Kim is busy finalising the release notes and we'll be producing a short video to introduce the changes to you.

Watch this space!

Useful summary of asbestos responsibilities for property owners/managers

More and more property management companies are buying our asbestos software, Alpha Tracker.

Elaine spotted this article which is a useful summary of the responsibilities property owners have in regard to asbestos: https://www.abcmoney.co.uk/2020/10/01/asbestos-what-are-my-responsibilities-as-a-property-owner/

Our asbestos software systems help asbestos consultancies, property management companies (large and small) and public bodies to manage their asbestos problem.  Do get in touch if we can help you.

Start Software Alpha Tracker server partner UKFast approved for public service contracts

Our asbestos software Alpha Tracker server partner UKFast has just received "G-Cloud 12" supplier status which means it is approved for government and public service contracts.

This is a big deal for the increasing number of councils, NHS Trusts and government departments who are looking at using Alpha Tracker to manage their asbestos problem.