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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.

Bug found in "building based" Alpha Tracker QR Codes. Please contact Support if you use this type of QR code

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!

If you use "building" QR codes (not site, sample, or room), get in touch

The bug relates to the feature whereby the QR codes can be secured requiring a login to view.

If you use the building QR codes specifically (the bug only applies to these), please get in touch with Support (UK or Aus/NZ) so we can patch your system.  The bug-fix will also be in the next Alpha Tracker Release.

Would you like to use your asbestos surveying industry knowledge to make a difference to Mesothelioma UK?

Our Alpha Tracker director Robin is also an ambassador for asbestos cancer charity Mesothelioma UK.

Can you join Robin in helping Mesothelioma UK?

Robin and his colleagues at Mesothelioma UK are looking for someone from the asbestos surveying industry to help with a new corporate fundraising drive.  Might you be that person?  Have you years of experience in asbestos surveying consultancies and an address book (or LinkedIn contact list!) full of asbestos consultancy leading lights and head-honchos??

Get in touch with Robin if you have a couple of hours each month and the desire to make a difference!  

Andrew & Poppy drop in to discuss app ideas for Big C V2

Adventurer Andrew Bedwell and his daughter Poppy dropped into our e-Innovation Centre office today full of ideas for the new Big C V2 app.  The app will be used by Andrew whilst on his 3-month-long transatlantic record-breaking attempt to cross the Atlantic unaided in the shortest boat ever.

Team leader Dan, Andrew & Poppy

 Andrew is fundraising for a charity close to our heart here at Start Software, Cancer Research UK.

Robin, Melika, Dan, Poppy & Andrew

We tested out a new drone while Andrew was here and learned about his plans to take a DJI Mini 4 with him to film Big C V2 during the crossing.  We also discussed the difficulty of landing a drone at sea... and how many plasters he should take if he has to grab it while the propellors are still turning!

Pizza always brings the team together

The whole Start Software development team will be working on the app, aiming to launch it by the end of December.  The app will be for Andrew while he aboard his 1m (yes, 1 meter or 3 feet!) long boat, and also for the public (adults and children) to track his progress and send messages of support.

Poppy enjoying the pepperoni pizza!

Poppy had brought lots of ideas with her from her schoolfriends, following Andrew's talks at school assembly to explain how the challenge will work and why he is inspired to do it.

Feeling inspired?

You can make a donation to support Andrew and Cancer Research UK here: https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/big-c-atlantic-challenge

Need an app building?


Look for out more Big C news on Andrew's Facebook page and here on our blog.

Support Desk performance for the last six months (June - November 2025)

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:

  • tickets solved within our target time (the yellow line)
  • high priority tickets solved within target (the blue line)
Support Desk - June to November 2025

Here are the headline figures:

November 2025

  • 91.97% of tickets solved in time
  • 99.37% of high priority tickets solved in time - this might be a record!
  • 809 tickets solved in total

October 2025

  • 92.40% in time
  • 97.16% of high priority in time
  • 947 tickets solved

September 2025

  • 94.20% in time
  • 98.38% of high priority in time
  • 879 tickets solved

August 2025

  • 90.97% in time
  • 97.08% of high priority in time
  • 831 tickets solved

July 2025

  • 91.40% in time
  • 97.88% of high priority in time
  • 977 tickets solved

June 2025

  • 90.45% in time
  • 97.40% of high priority in time
  • 838 tickets solved

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.

Jack's first visit to work with Judy at our Adelaide Australian HQ

Our Alpha Tracker supremo (and CTO) Jack is in Adelaide this week, his first visit to spend time with Judy and her team at our Australian HQ.

Judy finding something hilarious; Jack not so much!

Robin was there, too, and there were plenty of discussions about the next features we need to build out for the asbestos consultancies using Alpha Tracker in Australia & New Zealand.  Top of the list were the addition of more occupational hygiene services for the software - something we'll progress as quickly as we can.
 
PS Robin nearly bought tickets for Day 3 of the Perth Ashes Test... that was a close call!  Watching England's total humiliation on the TV was bad enough...

Robin is considering applying for Australian Citizenship!


Alpha Tracker partner FLS - FAST LEAN SMART is rebranding as Solvares Field Service

Our amazing scheduling partner FLS has told us that they are rebranding as Solvares Field Service.

The Solvares website

Nothing is changing other than the brand name - our integration will still be able to optimise diaries within Alpha Tracker to reduce driving time, increase site time, and improve the lives of field staff.

Get in touch for more information or to book a demo.  Why not watch our integration webinar, too!

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