This screen recording shows me typing "password" into the password box - really! |
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Friday, 24 December 2021
Really, Microsoft?!! Are you *still* allowing "password" to be used as a password at the end of 2021...?! Don't underestimate the importance of complex passwords
Wednesday, 22 December 2021
Time-saving tip! Don't hunt through the menus, use the Menu Search instead
Monday, 20 December 2021
More great feedback for our HSG248 changes in Release 37
Another asbestos consultancy client has been in touch to say thanks following the Alpha Tracker Release 37 update.
We've had some cracking feedback for our latest update |
The comment came from the Quality Manager at one of our Australian clients who is using our equipment management/calibration feature:
"Just a huge thanks for the latest update, wherein ‘days to calibration’ are now displayed.
This will be a huge help in tracking our items!"
We love it when a plan comes together!
Friday, 17 December 2021
Watch out for our article and advert in Modern Law magazine
This month's edition of Modern Law has a really good article about Alpha Legal and how it protects legal businesses and their clients from the dangers of cyber-crime.
Do keep an eye out for it - they are carrying an advert of ours, too.
Christmas gingerbread house fun!
We entered our software partner CTT Group's Christmas gingerbread house competition and this is our entry. We had such fun decorating it - wish us luck!
Kim & Catherine were most involved (though Zac had to lie on the floor to rotate the stool for the video!
Bake Off next year perhaps?!? ;-)
Kim, Zac (on the floor!) & Catherine |
Dr Mavis Nye is voted SHP's Most Influential Figure in Health & Safety for 2021
We've sent our heartfelt congratulations to our new friend Dr Mavis Nye for winning SHP's ballot for the "Most Influential Figure in Health & Safety" in 2021.
Congrats Mavis - you even beat Prof Chris Whitty to the title! |
SHP's citation says:
"Mavis has been described as a ‘tour de force, and an absolute dynamo for Asbestos Awareness’. She lives with Mesothelioma every day of her life, having been diagnosed with Mesothelioma in 2009.
It was during her treatment, that she decided early on that something needed to be done. Today, she spends her life campaigning for asbestos awareness and removal and her work is internationally recognised. Supported by many influential people, she is in demand for presentations to spread the word."
Here at Start Software, we are working with the Mavis Nye Foundation to find ways that we can support their work. Our asbestos software, Alpha Tracker, has been used to survey more than 5.5 million buildings (we believe this is the biggest asbestos database in the world). We want to use our experience to support the work that Mavis and her team does in the fight against asbestos-related disease.
For more information, go to SHP Online: https://www.shponline.co.uk/shp-most-influential/dr-mavis-nye-named-shps-most-influential-person-in-health-safety-for-2021/
Thursday, 16 December 2021
The release notes for Alpha Tracker Release 37 have been published
You can read the releases notes on our website |
Wednesday, 15 December 2021
5* feedback from a busy asbestos consultancy following our HSG248 updates - thanks Allium!
5* feedback for our HSG248 updates |
Here's the feedback we received on Alpha Tracker Release 37:
"...Tracker Air was the logical choice for Allium due to the use of Alpha Tracker in other areas of the business.The functionality of the program enabled us to concentrate on other aspects of the accreditation process, with our early beta testing proving very successful. Further updates have enabled the transition to version 2 of HSG 248 to be much simpler than it could have been, with all of the bases covered.Lastly, it cannot be stressed how much positive feedback we get from our client base, with regards to the layout and aesthetics to the final reports. Thanks to all involved for the continued support."
Rob Connor
Technical Manager
Allium Environmental
What is the Log4j vulnerability and should I be worried?
The news has been full of a new cyber-security threat that has been causing havoc since the start of the month.
Log4j, as it is known, is one of the worst server vulnerabilities to ever have been discovered. In fact, some experts say it is the worst. There's a really good summary of the threat here, on Wired.com: https://www.wired.com/story/log4j-log4shell/
The Log4j vulnerability gives hackers the opportunity to do virtually anything on a compromised server - from running bitcoin mining software (causing your server to run at full speed, essentially disabling all of your server running on it) to exposing user names and passwords, or even installing dreaded ransomware.
The UK has been particularly hit with attacks, as this graphic shows:
The UK and North America are amongst the areas seeing most hacking attempts |
At Start Software, we take security really seriously and we have already checked the servers which run asbestos software Alpha Tracker, legal software Alpha Legal and all of our other systems. We are urging clients who operate their own servers to check their systems and to make sure that all security patches are applied.
For more information, contact Robin in the Telford (UK) office.
Tuesday, 14 December 2021
Hello World! See how creative the Start Software developers are when using the Alpha Anywhere development tool
Cracking feedback, Gromit! We love it when our subscribers enjoy using Alpha Legal
We just spotted this lovely Alpha Legal feedback on LinkedIn:
Thanks, Anthony (Marshall Financial Solutions), and so glad you're enjoying using the product and appreciate our 24x7 personal service.
Alpha Tracker has now surveyed more than 5 million buildings
We've just been reviewing the Alpha Tracker asbestos software stats.
We believe Alpha Tracker is the biggest asbestos database in the world |
As of December 2021, Alpha Tracker has helped our asbestos consultancy clients to:
- survey more than 5 million buildings
- take more than 11 million samples
- complete more than 3 million jobs, and
- inspect 70 million+ items.
Monday, 13 December 2021
Acorn Analytical Services goes live with Alpha Tracker air monitoring
Our trainer Kim on the Zoom call with Acorn |
Emails cause another cyber-security nightmare - the Irish Health Service was "crippled" by ransomware introduced by email
A screenshot of the conversation where the hackers demanded nearly $20m ransom |
Customer feedback from the HSG248 updates for our Tracker Air module within Alpha Tracker
It's been a challenge to get the HSG248 changes into our Tracker Air (asbestos fibre/air monitoring) module in time for the end-of-November deadline. Other asbestos software providers are still working on their updates and we've heard of angry consultancies disappointed that their updates were not completed in time - we're really pleased to say that all Alpha Tracker customers were notified before the end of November.
Customer feedback for our HSG248 changes has been really good |
Not every update has gone smoothly, but most have gone without a hitch and some of the early feedback we've had has been excellent. This comment from the Technical Manager at one of our bigger clients is typical:
"I will say that I’m loving the new additions to Tracker air – it looks really aesthetically tidy, and is nice and easy to read for laymen and qualified employees"
If you have similar comments, or would like to see changes or improvements, please do get in touch.
Thursday, 9 December 2021
Another week, another 1,000 clients are being protected by Alpha Legal
Alpha Legal is now protecting 10,000s of clients for will writers, solicitors, IFAs and estate agents across the country.
This is what 1,000 people looks like! Another week at Alpha Legal |
This last week alone, more than 1,000 new clients have submitted their ID documents or received documents for e-signature via the Alpha Legal platform.
We all know that emails are not secure. If you are sending and receiving sensitive information by email, it's time to find a better way. Alpha Legal solves the problem for you and offers subscription plans from only £10/month. Register risk-free now!
PS want to know how Alpha Legal's security protects you and your client? Click here
Tracker Mobile (Mobile Data) is now compatible with Microsoft InTune
Microsoft InTune is part of Microsoft's corporate security software, EndPoint Manager |
Tuesday, 7 December 2021
Tried the meeting planner yet? Give it a try and let us know what you think
Try the meeting planner built-in to Alpha Legal |
Feedback needed on Release 37 - let us know what you think
Call Dan, Jack or any of the team - tell us what you think |
Wednesday, 1 December 2021
664 support calls answered in November 2021 - phew!
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Busy month on the Support Desk! |
Overall, we maintained our good performance from the month before with 19 out of 20 queries being resolved within the timescales set by our clients.