Thanks for visiting our Start Software blog. Follow the blog to keep in touch with news and developments from Start Software, the developers of Alpha Tracker, Alpha Legal and more!
One of our Australian clients has spotted a bug in "building based" QR codes within Alpha Tracker. A big thank you to them - one of our "Bug Finder" t-shirts will be on its way!
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| If you use "building" QR codes (not site, sample, or room), get in touch |
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| Can you join Robin in helping Mesothelioma UK? |
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| Team leader Dan, Andrew & Poppy |
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| Robin, Melika, Dan, Poppy & Andrew |
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| Pizza always brings the team together |
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| Poppy enjoying the pepperoni pizza! |
Our Support Desk has had another busy period and the team continues to work hard to keep responses quick and solutions on track. Here is the latest six month snapshot of how we have been doing.
We track two key measures:
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| Support Desk - June to November 2025 |
Overall, performance has stayed consistently strong, especially for high priority issues where the team is regularly clearing more than 97 percent within the SLA window.
Thank you to every client who has contacted the helpdesk this year. If you ever need support with Alpha Tracker or any of our other systems, you can reach the team through the Support Portal or by emailing us at any time.
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| Judy finding something hilarious; Jack not so much! |
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| Robin is considering applying for Australian Citizenship! |
Our amazing scheduling partner FLS has told us that they are rebranding as Solvares Field Service.
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| The Solvares website |
Get in touch for more information or to book a demo. Why not watch our integration webinar, too!
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| Dan, their presentation, and Jack - ready to go |
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| We do like to advertise what we do! We are Alpha Software Specialists |
We’re back from a brilliant few days in Bergen for the Global Asbestos Forum 2025.
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| Robin, Forum President Yvonne, Kim & Catherine |
Alpha Tracker specialists Kim, Catherine and Robin attended the full programme at the iconic Grieghallen – and Robin also delivered a dedicated AI session showcasing the growing list of innovations arriving in asbestos software Alpha Tracker.
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| The inspirational Mesothelioma survivor and advocate Heather von St James |
This year’s theme - “Asbestos: collaboration is key” - felt especially relevant, with international delegates sharing ideas, research and real-world practice. We were proud to be part of the conversation and to fly the flag for Alpha Tracker users in the UK, Australia and beyond.
Our day began with a crisp walk from the hotel to the venue. Bergen looked spectacular under the early-morning lights, with the city centre already buzzing as delegates made their way to sessions.
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| Kim & Catherine - loaded up with luggage! |
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| What a venue! |
Once inside, we joined fellow delegates to hear updates on asbestos policy, science and global initiatives.
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| As a conference sponsor, we had good coverage in the programme with FLS |
Networking breaks were busy too – it was great to reconnect with familiar faces and meet new ones.
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| Kim in full flow |
Our stand was busy throughout the conference, with lots of interest in the latest product developments and, in particular, the Alpha Tracker/FLS VISITOUR scheduling integration.
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| Not many pens left... |
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| Collaboration is key - this is one or our core Alpha Tracker values |
Visitors to the stand were interested in AI and our FLS integration where we demonstrated how seamless route optimisation and workload balancing can transform a consultancy’s day-to-day operations – particularly when dealing with large survey teams or tightly-timed reinspection schedules.
In fact, the FLS/Alpha Tracker integration even made it into the programme:
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| FLS & Alpha Tracker - in print |
Robin delivered a dedicated session exploring how AI is already improving efficiency, quality and consistency across the asbestos industry. The workshop highlighted both the opportunities and the responsibilities that come with adopting AI within safety-critical workflows.
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| Robin pointing at Alan Turing (one of his heroes) |
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| The professional photographer struggled to find Robin's "best side"(!) |
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| Robin sharing the FLS news |
Robin also showcased a wide range of new and upcoming AI features within Alpha Tracker, including:
FLS VISITOUR scheduling integration - see https://alpha-tracker.co.uk/fls-in-alpha-tracker
“Ask Alfie” support assistant
Screen summaries for quick understanding
Photo Analyst – identifying materials and issues instantly
Building Analyst – automated building-level insights
Report Chatbot for rapid content clarification
Summary Videos automatically produced from project data
Tracker Email Agent – triaging and taking actions in Alpha Tracker from inboxes
Report QC – Launch edition, our newest quality-checking tool.
All were received with enthusiasm, with plenty of questions about practical roll-out and real-world benefits.
Bergen once again proved to be the perfect host: friendly, atmospheric and full of energy. A huge thank you to Yvonne and the organisers of the Global Asbestos Forum for another superb event.
We’re already looking forward to next year.
If you’d like to learn more about any of the AI tools we demonstrated, or the Alpha Tracker + FLS integration, please get in touch – we’d love to show you more.
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| Robin & Dan finding something funny in their presentation prep(!) |
If you’re working in low-code, mobile or web application development using the Alpha Anywhere/Alpha TransForm stack, then mark your diary: the annual Alpha Anywhere Developer’s Day 2025 (DevDay 2025) is just around the corner — and we’re delighted to announce that the developers at Start Software will be presenting.
Scheduled for Tuesday 18 November 2025, from 9 am to 5 pm EDT (that’s 2 pm to 10 pm UK time approximately), the event is a free virtual conference aimed at the global Alpha developer community.
Highlights include:
Guest-speaker presentations from leading Alpha developers
A first look at the product roadmap for Alpha Anywhere and Alpha TransForm
Practical tips & tricks for building faster, smarter with the Alpha platform
This is not just a “vendor show-and-tell” — it’s a full day of learning, networking and forward-looking insight for developers and project leads working with the Alpha stack.
At Start Software we have been working with the Alpha platform for many years (since 2011, in fact) and our team has built large-scale systems using Alpha Anywhere, TransForm and Alpha Cloud. It's fair to say that we are Alpha Software Specialists!
We’re particularly proud to say:
We live and breathe “Alpha-first” solutions — from desktop to web to mobile
Our in-house application, “Alpha Tracker”, powers thousands of projects and is developed with the same technologies we help our clients implement. (Yes, that means real world, production scale.)
With DevDay 2025’s theme anchored around AI, our presentation will focus on how AI & machine-learning capabilities can be integrated into Alpha-built apps — making them smarter, more responsive and better aligned with the demands of modern users.
In our session we will:
Explore how we have used AI-capabilities (such as natural-language processing, intelligent suggestions, anomaly detection) within Alpha Anywhere workflows.
Demonstrate practical patterns: converting expert/manual logic into AI-driven services inside an Alpha application.
Show how you can accelerate development, reduce repetitive tasks and elevate user experience using AI inside the Alpha stack — without sacrificing control, maintainability or performance.
Offer a live mini-demo plus a takeaway checklist you can apply immediately in your own projects.
Free access — the event is virtual and open to all
It’s a rare chance to see what’s next for Alpha Anywhere/TransForm and hear from developers who are applying it today.
If you’re using Alpha in your business (or evaluating it), you’ll learn how AI can be added as a value-add — not just “because we can”.
Networking opportunity: meet other developers, ask questions, discover partner solutions and expand your peer-group.
And of course, having Start Software on the programme means you’ll get direct insight into one company’s journey — we’ll be quite open about lessons learned (both wins and pitfalls).
Head over to the DevDay registration page:
➡️ Register for Developer’s Day 2025 (registration link on the official site)
Since the event is free, seats may fill up — best to secure your place now.
Once registered you’ll receive access details, schedule, sessions list and join link for the virtual event.
If you’re already using Alpha Anywhere/TransForm (or considering it) and want to meet ahead of time, our team at Start Software would love to connect:
Send an email to: alpha@start-software.com
Or reply to this blog post (we’ll monitor the comments) and we can schedule a short 15-minute chat ahead of DevDay to cover your specific project, questions or ideas.
AI is fast becoming the differentiator in app development. It’s not just about “add AI for show” — it’s about embedding intelligence, user-context, predictive insights and automation in a way that raises the value of your apps.
By combining the power of Alpha Anywhere / TransForm with targeted AI integration, organisations can deliver solutions that are faster, smarter and future-proof.
We at Start Software are excited to share how we are doing exactly that — and to learn from the broader Alpha community at DevDay 2025.
We hope to see you on 18 November. Register now to reserve your place, and we look forward to connecting with many of you during the session.
We’re delighted to announce that our latest Alpha Anywhere project is now live across all Peter Posh showrooms.
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| Peter Posh in Shrewsbury, one of 8 showrooms |
Peter Posh is a name synonymous with quality and style in formal suit hire. From weddings and proms to black-tie events, they’ve been helping people look their best for over 30 years. Their attention to detail and dedication to customer satisfaction are legendary — and those same values have driven this ambitious digital transformation.
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| Peter Posh is renowing for its quality and style |
The Peter Posh team previously relied on a long-standing desktop system to manage their day-to-day operations. While it served them well for many years, it was time to evolve. Together, we rebuilt the entire system in Alpha Anywhere, bringing it right up to date as a fully browser-based business application.
The new platform now manages every step of their operation, including:
Enquiries and bookings – capturing customer details and event information the moment they get in touch.
Outfit planning – selecting suit styles, colours, accessories and sizes to create the perfect coordinated look.
Warehouse and logistics – tracking garments, handling preparation, packaging and delivery.
Returns and invoicing – managing collections and automatically producing invoices.
It’s an end-to-end solution that keeps every department connected and every customer order on track.
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| Shop staff can now enter orders live, direct onto tablets |
Perhaps the most visible change is on the shop floor.
Staff now use tablets during consultations and fittings, giving them instant access to customer records, outfit choices and availability. Whether they’re showing a groom his suit options or confirming sizes for a party of groomsmen, everything happens seamlessly in one place — no more flipping through paper forms or checking back-office screens.
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| The system looks as good as the Peter Posh products! |
Customers notice the difference too: fittings are faster, details are captured accurately, and there’s a modern, professional feel to every appointment. It’s technology quietly enhancing great customer service.
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| Emily at the Shrewsbury showroom |
Anyone who has visited a Peter Posh showroom knows how much care goes into every detail — from the cut of a lapel to the fold of a pocket square. We wanted the same level of precision in the new system.
Our developers spent time understanding how each branch operates, how garments flow through the business, and how staff like to work. The result is a system that feels natural and intuitive for users, while handling a huge amount of complexity behind the scenes.
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| Some of the accessories available to buy |
This close collaboration has meant that every screen, workflow and report aligns perfectly with Peter Posh’s own standards of quality.
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| The new system works in a browser - no software to install |
At its heart, the new system is about connection. All Peter Posh branches now share a single live database, ensuring up-to-the-minute accuracy. Managers can see availability, staff can update fittings, and the warehouse knows exactly what’s needed for each event.
The system even integrates with stock tracking, delivery schedules and invoicing to make the entire process faster and more reliable.
Behind the scenes, Alpha Anywhere provides a solid, scalable platform that’s future-proof and secure — ready to grow alongside the business.
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| Emily reviewing an order on her tablet |
Delivering a project like this takes more than code. It takes communication, understanding and a shared commitment to getting the details right.
The Peter Posh team were a pleasure to work with — open, knowledgeable and passionate about improving every aspect of their service. Together we’ve created a system that not only supports their business but enhances their reputation for excellence.
We’re proud to see it live across all their showrooms and already making a difference.
👉 peterposh.co.uk
We’re proud to share that it’s our Living Wage Anniversary at Start Software!
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| If we didn't pay such good wages, Robin could afford a razor! |
For another year running, we’ve maintained our commitment to being a Living Wage Employer, ensuring that everyone on our team earns a fair day’s pay for a hard day’s work.
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| Doing business "right" - fairly, decently, ethically - is at our core |
The Living Wage movement has always been close to our hearts. It’s about recognising the real cost of living and supporting people to thrive, not just get by. We believe that fair pay is the foundation of a happy, motivated team — and that benefits everyone: our clients, our community, and our company.
If you’re an employer who hasn’t yet joined the movement, we’d encourage you to take a look. It’s a simple but powerful step towards building a fairer economy and a stronger workplace culture.
You can learn more here: https://www.livingwage.org.uk
Here’s to another year of doing business the right way — with fairness and respect at the core of what we do.
October was another excellent month for our Support Teams, with 92.4% of tickets resolved within their target time and an impressive 97.2% of high-priority issues handled on time.
That’s 876 tickets completed within SLA (and 171 high-priority ones), from a total of 948 issues logged and solved in October. It’s a busy workload — and the consistent high standards show just how hard our team works to keep our clients happy.
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| Thanks ChatGPT for the graphic - but why the mix-and-match on decimal points and commas?! |
Here’s how our “in-time” performance has looked over the past few months:
| Month | In-time % | High Priority In-time % | Total Solved |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 92.41% | 97.16% | 948 |
| Sep 2025 | 94.20% | 98.38% | 879 |
| Aug 2025 | 90.97% | 97.08% | 831 |
| Jul 2025 | 91.40% | 97.88% | 977 |
| Jun 2025 | 90.45% | 97.40% | 838 |
| May 2025 | 92.14% | 95.42% | 852 |
We’ve now kept performance above 90% for six months running, proving that reliability is more than just a number — it’s part of how we work.
If you ever need to log a support ticket, you can do so anytime (24x7, literally). We look forward to being of service.
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| Microsoft have resolved all of their Azure cloud problems |
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| We're in good company, many organisations are being affected |
We’ve just hit an incredible milestone — our 100,000th support ticket has landed!
That’s 100,000 times our customers have reached out with questions, ideas, or requests — and 100,000 opportunities for our support team to help, learn, and make Alpha Tracker, Alpha Legal, ecoScribe and all our other systems even better.
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| 1,000,000 grateful customers (well, most of them...) |
Every ticket tells a story: a new project getting started, a clever feature being used in a new way, or a challenge that helped us improve our software. We’re genuinely grateful for every message, call, and support request that’s come our way over the years. Without your feedback and patience, we couldn’t keep making our systems as powerful and reliable as they are today.
Our support heroes handle everything from “how do I…” to “help, it’s all on fire!” - and they do it with professionalism, good humour, and an impressive amount of coffee. Reaching 100,000 tickets is a testament to their dedication and the relationships they’ve built with customers across the UK and beyond.
If 100,000 tickets got us here, we can only imagine what the next 100,000 will bring. More innovation, faster responses, smarter systems — and, no doubt, the occasional head-scratcher that keeps things interesting.
At this rate, we might even start placing bets on when ticket number 1,000,000 will arrive…
Thank you for being part of our journey — here’s to the next big milestone! 🚀
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| Yet another AI-generated blog image |
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| Jack, the Alpha Software team (via Teams), and Dan |
Birmingham Tech Week was buzzing with ideas, innovation and some very clever uses of artificial intelligence — so of course, we couldn’t resist joining in. Andrew and I spent the day at the ICC for the AI Symposium, part of this year’s Quantum Leap series of events, learning from industry leaders and sharing how AI is already shaping the work we do at Start Software and CTT.
Our day began at Birmingham New Street, where the ever-impressive Ozzy the Bull (fresh from the Commonwealth Games) gave us a suitably dramatic welcome. I couldn’t resist giving him a new accessory — my Birmingham Tech Week badge. He wore it with pride.
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| Ozzy pre-AI modification |
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| Ozzy with his pass! |
The city itself looked fantastic under autumn skies — from the sleek curves of Grand Central to the golden crown of the Library of Birmingham, Birmingham’s mix of heritage and modern design made a great backdrop for a week celebrating technology.
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| The Town Hall |
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| The sun was shining on the event |
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| Birmingham Library |
Inside the ICC, the energy was palpable. The exhibition area showcased everything from VR headsets to cutting-edge data visualisation tools, and the AI Symposium featured some genuinely insightful discussions. It was standing-room-only at times, with experts debating the ethics, opportunities and challenges of machine learning in the workplace.
Agentic AI again was a key focus - as was security - themes repeating from the World Summit AI in Amsterdam two weeks ago.
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| Inside the impressive ICC |
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| Should have gone to Specsavers |
For us at Start Software, AI is more than just a buzzword. It’s already integrated into our products — helping clients work smarter and faster:
Alpha Tracker uses automation and smart data processing to simplify compliance and asbestos management.
Alpha Legal keeps legal professionals secure and efficient with AI-driven document checks and smart communication tools.
ecoScribe harnesses speech recognition and natural language processing to turn complex survey data into structured reports in seconds.
Seeing so many companies exploring AI’s potential was inspiring — and it’s clear that the Midlands is fast becoming a real hub for innovation.
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| The panel gathers |
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| Andrew front-and-centre (as always!) |
We left Birmingham Tech Week with plenty of ideas (and a slightly sore neck from looking up at Ozzy). Huge thanks to the organisers for such a well-run and thought-provoking event.
If you’d like to learn how AI is already improving workflows in Alpha Tracker, Alpha Legal or ecoScribe, get in touch — we’d love to show you what’s possible.
(post by Robin Bennett)
