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Showing posts from May, 2023

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.

Andrew's dream is over - for now. Will we see the Big C float again in 2024?

You might have seen Andrew Bedwell's dreadful news on the TV, in newspapers or online.  His Facebook page has 1000s of followers and makes for tough reading, today.  His dream of crossing the Atlantic Ocean in the shortest-ever boat is over for now.  What a shame!

Andrew has been headline news - but not for the right reasons!

We have been supporting and sponsoring Andrew's Big C Atlantic Challenge and are proud to be associated with the project.  We developed software and apps to help Andrew send messages from mid-Atlantic and for his followers worldwide to track his progress.  

Andrew set off a week early, to take advantage of a good weather window, but had to return to shore after developing a small, fixable leak.  However, after leaving the boat overnight in the harbour he returned to find that it had sunk.  When the crane lifted Big C boat out of the water and over the quayside, a component snapped and the boat crashed to the floor, smashing the hull, and Andrew's dreams, into pieces.

It's such a cruel end to the story for this year - the boat simply isn't fixable in time to make the crossing this summer.  We're sending Andrew all our best wishes and hope he rebuilds to have another go in 2024.  We believe in you Andrew and know you can do it.


Do your site staff use phones, tablets or both? Please let us know so that we can update our records

We'd be really grateful if you could let us know which brand of phones & tablets your site staff use - and whether you'd recommend them.


Could you please complete this quick questionnaire?  Thanks in advance!


Thank you - Robin.




Join our Alpha Tracker Release 39 webinar on Tuesday @ 12:30. Find out what we've been working on!

We're ready with Alpha Tracker Release 39!  Join our 30-minute webinar next Tuesday (30 May) at 12:30 to see the highlights from the new release.

Join us for our Alpha Tracker Tips & Tricks Webinar

Register for the webinar here - it's free! https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_aS6dJ0j5QCycZ65VbHgBow

Andrew Bedwell & Robin finalising communication plans for the Big C Atlantic Challenge

Robin spoke to Andrew yesterday to finalise his communication plans for the Big C Atlantic Challenge world record attempt.

The staff at Start Software are going to be Andrew's communication team, posting his updates on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram when he's away.  Start Software are the main sponsors for the project with their Alpha Tracker and Alpha Portal logos appearing on the boat and sail.

They will also be monitoring the Big C Tracker app (see https://bigctracker.app) which they have built to show Andrew's progress across the Atlantic!  You can see a video showing how the app was built here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QajFkuzCyds&t=24s

The weird thing was that roles were reversed because Robin was on the water when Andrew called... on his paddleboard!

Andrew in St John's, Newfoundland speaking to Robin in Shrewsbury, UK

Stop press! Andrew has called to say that he is hoping to set off this Saturday - 27 May - nearly a week ahead of schedule.  Click https://bigctracker.app/ to follow Andrew and his updates.

Think you know asbestos? Test yourself with the Asbestos & You quiz

Work Right's Asbestos & You campaign has launched a quiz to test your knowledge of asbestos.

Can you get 100%? Put yourself to the test

Test your own knowledge here: https://workright.campaign.gov.uk/new-quiz-launched-for-asbestos-you/

PS all of the Alpha Tracker support & development staff have had a go... ask them how they got on when you next call in!

New feature! Install Alpha Tracker as an app on your laptop or PC

Once you've installed Release 39, you'll be able to install Alpha Tracker as an app on your laptop or PC!

Look for this button in your browser:

Just two clicks needed to install Alpha Tracker as an app

Once installed, you can pin Alpha Tracker to your Task Bar in Windows, or put it on your Desktop.  Much easier and quicker to load!

New feature! Install Alpha Legal as an app on your laptop

You can now install Alpha Legal as an app on your laptop!

Look for this button in your browser:

Install Alpha Legal as an app onto your laptop

Once installed, you can pin Alpha Legal to your Task Bar in Windows, or put it on your Desktop.  Much easier and quicker to load!


Alpha Legal at the Best Foundation Inspiration & Innovation Conference 2023

Silverstone is an amazing venue for a conference.  Congratulations to the Best Foundation for a terrific day which Alpha Legal was pleased to support.

Some of the photos that Alpha Legal support techs Zac & James took today

Find out more about the Best Foundation here: https://bestfoundation.org.uk/

1,000 blog posts and counting! Alpha Tracker updates keep on coming

We've hit a major milestone - 1,000 posts on the Alpha Tracker blog!

Four of the 1,000 Alpha Tracker blog posts

We post about Alpha Tracker news and updates, asbestos industry information, and anything we think will be of interest to our valued clients.

Follow the blog yourself here: https://alpha-tracker.co.uk/


Add a Google Map automatically into your asbestos reports - new feature alert!

Adam has just finished adding a new feature to Tracker Document Maker.  

We can now automatically include a Google Map of the location surveyed in your report - in any location and in any position you like!

Google Map auto insert


Get in touch if you'd like us to add this to your reports.  Drop an email to businessmanager@start-software.com or give us a call (UK or Aus/NZ).

95% of High Priority tickets were resolved on time last month

Call volumes dropped in April 2023 with our Support Desk taking 677 calls for assistance compared to over 1,000 in March.  This is due to a number of new clients "settling down" and needing far less help from us.

Zac helping a caller on our Support Desk

The highlight from April was that 19 out of 20 callers (95%) with an urgent ticket had their problem fixed within two hours (our target).

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