Alpha Tracker Mobile update in the app stores - improved data safeguards

We spotted a gap in our data safeguards within Alpha Tracker Mobile this week.  We take data security incredibly seriously, and have a number of measures in place on the app to protect data if a phone has a fault whilst a water hygiene technician is working.  When we reviewed the code after a customer query, we spotted that we had a gap that we could plug.

The new Alpha Tracker Mobile has been released to the app stores and will auto-update onto technican handsets this week.

New feature in Alpha Tracker Mobile. "Add all sentinel outlets" on a water monitoring visit with one tap

This feature has been one of the most frequently requested by our water hygiene Alpha Tracker users!

"Add All Sentinels" - new in Alpha Tracker Mobile

Jack has added a new feature in Alpha Tracker Mobile so that water hygiene technicians can add all sentinel outlets to their job with just one tap - nice!

Our Alpha Tracker Roadmap is now available. Check out what we have planned for 2026

A Closer Look at What’s Coming Next

At Alpha Tracker we always listen closely to our users. That insight helps us plan updates that make the software more capable, easier to use and better suited to real world project workflows.

Our 2026 Alpha Tracker Roadmap sets out the major releases we have planned this year. These updates reflect customer feedback, industry demand and our ongoing commitment to practical improvements.

It's going to be a busy 2026 for the Alpha Tracker team!

---

Release 42 (Q1): Customer-Driven Enhancements

We kick off the year with Release 42, which brings together a number of features we have been testing with customers:

• Improvements to Water Hygiene data collection and reporting, including enhanced Client Portal workflows

• Better automation of milestones and automated report email distribution

• Improved QR code support for field teams

• Enhanced admin automation, such as auto-populating of report recipients

• Completion of the Australian asbestos risk assessment methodology

• Ongoing security improvements across the product

This release lays a strong foundation for the rest of the year by focusing on core user needs and meaningful workflow improvements.

---

April: Release 42.1 — Technical and Cosmetic Refresh

Next up is Release 42.1, focused on general performance and usability:

• Updated software framework for better overall performance

• Faster import tools, making data loading quicker

• A fresh look and cleaner user interface, optimized for tablets and desktop

• Usage tracking to guide future performance improvements

• Integration with Assure360

• API updates to support integrations with external systems

These enhancements make Alpha Tracker easier and faster to use day-to-day.

---

May: Release 42.2 — AI Enhancements

Building on the AI work we started in 2025, Release 42.2 brings multiple AI-powered features:

• Jotter auto-summaries to help reduce time spent writing narrative text

• An AI photo analyser to assist with image tagging and interpretation

• Better list summaries throughout the product

• An updated and integrated AI QC checker

• Tracker Agent, our AI-powered replacement for Tracker Filer

These tools are designed to save time and support quality control across busy workflows.

---

June: Release 42.3 — Finance

Customers have been clear that finance workflows matter. Release 42.3 focuses on:

• Improved Xero integration for smoother accounting workflows

• Faster, easier invoicing

• A new application for payment process

• A special feature to support designated charities

This release makes financial processes in Alpha Tracker quicker and more flexible.

---

Custom Regional Updates: Release 42.4 (Australia & New Zealand)

We are batching up changes requested specifically by our Australian and New Zealand asbestos consultancy clients and delivering these in Release 42.4.

---

Later Releases in 2026

After that we have a series of updates focused on specific areas of the product:

Release 42.5: Sales, Customer Service and Client Portal

This update will improve how your customers interact with Alpha Tracker through the Client Portal and optimise internal sales and service processes.

Release 42.6: Calendar & Maps

Expect new and improved calendar views, tighter integration with What3Words, enhanced mapping capability and a new Calendar Sync module.

Release 42.7: Fire Risk Module

We are rebuilding the Fire Risk assessment module from the ground up and plan to release this later in the year.

Release 42.8: Accessibility

Alpha Tracker already meets many accessibility standards. In this release we go further, especially for users with limited vision.

Release 42.9: Technical Refresh

Towards the end of the year we intend to retire some older modules “behind the scenes” and replace them with a new product core, setting the stage for Release 43 and future development.

---

What This Means for You

This roadmap shows a clear progression through performance, usability, AI, finance, regional customisation and specialised updates. It reflects both our development priorities and the real needs of Alpha Tracker users.

We will continue to refine and adapt based on feedback as the year progresses, and you can expect each release to bring practical improvements to your workflows.

If you have specific ideas or requests for future releases, please get in touch. Your insight helps shape Alpha Tracker’s direction.

Support Desk Performance Update: February 2026

Time for another look under the bonnet of our Support Desk covering Alpha Tracker (UK and Australian/New Zealand support), Alpha Legal and ecoScribe.

We like publishing these updates for a simple reason. If you are trusting us to run systems that matter to your business, you deserve to know how we are performing. Not just the good months. All of it.

Here are the latest figures covering September 2025 through to February 2026.

The headline numbers

Over the last six months we have:

• Resolved 5,149 support tickets

• Delivered an overall 92 to 94 percent on-time resolution rate each month

• Achieved between 97 and 99 percent on-time performance for high-priority issues

That is not a small volume. It represents consistent, steady demand from clients using Alpha Tracker, especially, and the wider Start Software ecosystem every day.

We track Support Desk performance monthly - and weekly - and daily!

Monthly breakdown

A quick snapshot of the last six months:

• February 2026
  926 tickets resolved
  92.33 percent on time overall
  98.81 percent on time for high-priority

• January 2026
  904 tickets resolved
  93.58 percent on time overall
  98.86 percent high-priority

• December 2025
  685 tickets resolved
  91.09 percent on time overall
  99.30 percent high-priority

• November 2025
  808 tickets resolved
  92.08 percent on time overall
  99.37 percent high-priority

• October 2025
  947 tickets resolved
  92.40 percent on time overall
  97.16 percent high-priority

• September 2025
  879 tickets resolved
  94.20 percent on time overall
  98.38 percent high-priority

Across the period we resolved 4,772 standard priority tickets and 992 high-priority tickets within SLA.

What the numbers tell us

A few observations.

1. Volume remains high and steady

We are consistently resolving between 800 and 950 tickets per month, with December being the natural seasonal dip. That level of activity reflects a growing user base and more organisations embedding our software deeply into their workflows.

Busy is fine. Uncontrolled is not. The consistency shows the team is absorbing the load without performance dropping off a cliff.

2. High-priority issues are handled exceptionally quickly

When something is genuinely urgent, we treat it that way. High-priority SLA performance has stayed around 98 to 99 percent. That is where it needs to be.

If a system underpins field operations, compliance, billing, or reporting, delays are not just inconvenient. They cost money. Our focus is always to protect business continuity first.

3. Overall SLA performance is stable

Overall on-time performance has remained comfortably above 91 percent every month, peaking at over 94 percent.

Of course we would like that to be 100 percent. Real life occasionally intervenes. Complex issues take deeper investigation. Some require third-party involvement. Some involve careful data repair rather than a quick patch.

What matters is that the trend is stable and predictable, not volatile.

What sits behind these figures

Support performance is not just about answering tickets quickly. It depends on:

• Well-structured, documented software

• Clear release management

• Robust hosting infrastructure

• Experienced developers who can step into escalations

• And clients who provide good information when raising issues

We are fortunate on all counts.

As Alpha Tracker and our other platforms continue to evolve, we invest heavily in stability, monitoring, and preventative fixes. The best support ticket is the one that never needs to be raised.

A quiet thank you to the team

Support work is rarely glamorous. When things run smoothly, nobody notices. When something breaks, everyone notices.

Sustaining over five thousand resolutions in six months with consistently high SLA performance takes focus, discipline, and care. We are quietly proud of the team.

Zac keeping his eye on a ticket - and the Support Team

If you are a client

Please keep raising tickets through the proper channels. It helps us track, prioritise, and measure properly. Emails sent to individual developers may feel faster, but they make it harder to maintain this level of visibility and accountability.

And if you are considering working with us and want to understand how we operate, transparency like this is part of the culture.

We build software that supports operational businesses. That means our Support Desk has to perform, month in, month out.

If you would like to talk about how Alpha Tracker or our wider solutions could support your organisation, just get in touch.

We will keep publishing these updates. Quiet consistency beats loud promises every time.

Look for the latest Alpha Tracker Mobile which hits the app stores this week

Our latest Alpha Tracker Mobile update hits the app stores this week.  It is focused on fixing issues which have occasionally affected water hygiene users when syncing their data.

Make sure you update to the latest version of Alpha Tracker Mobile

The key change is that all users will now automatically be using the latest sync method - which will improve the speed and reliability of the sync process, especially when there is a slow or unreliable Internet connection.

Did you know that Alpha Tracker now produces 1000s of water hygiene reports each week?  Legionella is now one of the fastest growing sectors for Alpha Tracker.

You can check your app version in the "About" screen - the latest one is v3.1.91

Welcome to 2026 ❄️

There’s something very fitting about starting the year on a bright, icy January morning. The light is new, the path ahead is clear, and while the ground may be slippery, progress comes from knowing where you’re going and taking each step with confidence. This photo of Catherine walking into the office captures that feeling perfectly as we step into 2026 at Start Software.

Here we go again! Welcome 2026

So, with frozen car parks behind us and a full year ahead, here’s what we’re excited about.

Continuing to invest in Alpha Tracker

Alpha Tracker remains at the heart of what we do, and 2026 is shaping up to be a busy year for new releases.

• Alpha Tracker Release 42 and Release 43 are on the roadmap, bringing a steady stream of practical improvements driven directly by customer feedback. As ever, the focus is on reliability, usability and features that genuinely make day-to-day work easier.

• We are rolling out a significant upgrade to Cloud Document Maker, delivering faster and more scalable document production for reports, certificates and client deliverables. Less waiting, more getting things done.
  

• Tracker Filer will be replaced by Tracker Agent, our AI-powered "extra pair of hands" that will massively reduce your admin.

Better integrations, better workflows

We know Alpha Tracker does not exist in isolation, so integration continues to be a major priority.  2025 saw us deliver the Lab Sample Exchange and the connection to the incredible FLS/Solvares VISITOUR optimised scheduler.  We have many more integrations planned for 2026.

More AI, used properly

AI is only useful if it solves real problems, and that is exactly how we are approaching it.

Our Report QC Checker is now available for all customers, helping to catch inconsistencies, omissions and common issues before reports go out of the door. It adds another layer of quality control that supports professional judgement rather than replacing it.

Go to asbestosreportqc.start-software.ai

You can expect more AI-powered features over the year, always focused on accuracy, efficiency and trust.

Growing the team

Great software comes from great people. We are delighted to welcome Bonggo to the Start Software team, strengthening our ability to support customers and continue developing the platform at pace.

Out in the world

We will also be getting out and about more in 2026, sharing what we have learned and learning from others.

This includes presenting at conferences around the world, with highlights already planned such as FAMANZ in Sydney and World Summit AI in Amsterdam. If you are attending either, do come and say hello.

20 years of Start Software

Finally, 2026 marks a major milestone for us. This is our 20th year of trading.

That means 20 years of building software, working closely with customers, adapting to new technology and staying firmly focused on value for money. We will be celebrating properly with staff and customers in the autumn, and we look forward to sharing more details as plans come together.

Thank you, as always, for being part of the Start Software story. Here’s to a productive, innovative and well-supported 2026.

You can now change your Alpha Tracker (and Tracker Mobile/MDS) password within our Alpha Tracker Mobile app

There's a new version of Alpha Tracker Mobile in the app stores (Google and Apple).

This upgrade gives staff the means to change their Alpha Tracker password and Tracker Mobile/MDS (asbestos site data capture) password within the app with no need to log into a laptop.

Do contact Support if you need any more information or help.

There's a new Alpha Tracker Mobile app in the app stores

We've been improving performance within Alpha Tracker Mobile.  The most noticeable change is that signing off reports is now much quicker for asbestos surveyors.

Visit https://alpha-tracker.co.uk/alpha-tracker-mobile for more info

Your team will receive the update automatically on their Apple and Android devices.

Alpha Tracker Release 41.5 is ready for desktop and Android/Apple app users. Nearly 600 improvements!

Our latest update for Alpha Tracker is now ready and available to all of our customers.

Alpha Tracker Release 41.5 is a big update - nearly 600 changes - and is accompanied by a brand new app in the Google and Apple app stores, too.

Read about Release 41.5 on our website

Watch the introductory video here: https://youtu.be/V6a9EmfKLRI or click below!

Get in touch with Support - 24x7 - if you'd like more information or to schedule your update.

There's a new Alpha Tracker Mobile in the app stores and another coming along soon

Our latest Alpha Tracker Mobile update has hit the app stores (Google and Apple).

Alpha Tracker Mobile in the Google and Apple app stores

The biggest change will benefit Alpha Tracker water hygiene (Legionella) technicians.  We've improved the logic which powers our data integrity checks, and this should reduce the number of alerts that the technicians see, especially at the start of the day.

A larger update is on its way, featuring a new sync method that makes it faster and easier for site staff to send in their data and photos

New Alpha Tracker Mobile hits the app stores. New "Support" option and "Water" buttons simplified

There's a new version of Alpha Tracker Mobile in the app stores.

The update adds a new "Support" menu (useful if you need to call us for help):

Look out for the new "Support" menu

The other change is that the button previously labelled as "Water OFFLINE" is now just "Water".  This is the button to click if you are working on water jobs on-site.

Press "Water" to enter water hygiene data

If you have any questions, do get in touch with Alpha Tracker Support (https://alpha-tracker.co.uk/support).

Check out the Release Notes for Alpha Tracker Release 41

Kim has finished the Release Notes - all 32 pages! - and these are now available for Alpha Tracker Release 41.

Click here to read them: https://alpha-tracker.co.uk/latest-release

Click to see our Release Notes

Here are the other ways you can explore the 500+ updates in this release:

• Watch the highlights video: https://youtu.be/ksfoPfQzdEg

• Read the blog: https://blog.start-software.com/2024/08/alpha-tracker-release-41-is-now.html

• Join the webinar on Wednesday 28th August at noon: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88632075774.

The Alpha Tracker Mobile update will be hitting the app stores next week and will automatically update the devices used by your site staff.  

Contact support (support@start-software.com) if you would like the update applied to your system and they will agree on a mutually convenient time.

Welcome Lancashire County Scientific Services to the Alpha Tracker family!

Another Alpha Tracker asbestos consultancy is live.  This time it is Lancashire County Scientific Services!

Kim has spent the day training the asbestos surveyors and administrators

Lancashire County Scientific Services will be using asbestos software Alpha Tracker to survey buildings across the county for asbestos, analysing samples and producing asbestos reports for their internal and external customers.

Using a variety of handheld devices, asbestos surveyors will be capturing site data, taking photos and updating plans electronically, and then sending this over mobile data or WiFi - all with one click!  Once asbestos samples are analysed, reports will be produced automatically to match the current Lancashire County formats.  All asbestos reports in Alpha Tracker are created from custom templates to ensure that the output is perfect.

Can we help your asbestos consultancy to improve efficiency and the service you provide to your clients?  Get in touch!  We have demo slots available in May, and software trials are also available.  If you are switching from competitor systems, we can also offer healthy discounts during 2024.

There's an update to our Alpha Tracker Mobile app in the Google & Apple app stores

Jack has published an update to our Alpha Tracker Mobile app into the Google & Apple app stores.

Alpha Tracker Mobile in the app stores

The new version has several useability improvements for users of our Forms and Water Hygiene features, including:

• better display of the section name (for forms broken into multiple sections)
• improved display of the project/job, site and type of form
• the section/question is always displayed when responding to Water Hygiene questions.

These changes all came from suggestions from our users so do get in touch if you have other ideas for improvements!

There's a new Alpha Tracker Mobile coming to the app stores this week

We're releasing a new Alpha Tracker Mobile to the Google (Android) and Apple (iOS) app stores this week.  Alpha Tracker Mobile is our companion mobile app for the Alpha Tracker system.

Alpha Tracker Mobile

The app has benefits for our water hygiene (Legionella) clients as well as several bug fixes and small improvements throughout the app.

Release 40 of Alpha Tracker is now available. Our December 2023 update has hundreds of improvements and new features

Our December 2023 update to Alpha Tracker and its companion app, Alpha Tracker Mobile, is now available.

Key updates include:

• Asbestos Registers are much faster
• Re-inspections generate more quickly
• Lots of improvements to Alpha Tracker Mobile
• New "Quick Edit" in Project List
• Surveys can now link to multiple templates
• The Alpha Tracker API has been enhanced
• SSO (single sign-on) is now available and is very flexible
• Sites can be "on stop"
• Importing is more reliable
• The water Client Portal has been enhanced.

Quite a list from Jack and the team.  Phew!

Release 40 of Alpha Tracker

Watch a short video introducing the update and read and/or download the release notes, here: https://alpha-tracker.co.uk/latest-release.

Please contact our Business Manager to arrange your Release 40 update.

The latest Alpha Tracker Mobile update is now in beta test

Jack has released the latest Alpha Tracker Mobile app to our beta testers.

The latest version of Alpha Tracker Mobile in action

The latest update has these new features and improvements, many of which will appeal to our water hygiene consultancies:

1. You can now duplicate water assets and outlets (and the data associated with them) with just one click
   
   
2. You can mark outlets as being infrequently accessed
   
   
3. The last date an outlet was monitored/cleaned/serviced is now shown when working on site (so that you can avoid working on outlets which don't need to be actioned)
   
   
4. Attempting to log in with an invalid user ID or password, or an expired password, now displays a more helpful message
   
   
5. If your sync is interrupted for any reason, you will not see duplicate assets and outlets when you re-sync
   
   
6. Photos are now quicker to display
   
   
7. A variety of minor bugs have been addressed.

Our next-generation asbestos data collection app is taking shape. Keep an eye on Alpha Tracker Mobile for the update

Jack and his developers have been working hard on the next generation of our asbestos site data collection app.  Asbestos data collection will be joining water hygiene and our general purpose "forms" feature and will be coming to Alpha Tracker Mobile soon.

Asbestos data collection is coming to Alpha Tracker Mobile

Alpha Tracker Mobile is available in the Apple and Google app stores and has been downloaded 1000s of times.  Click this link for more information.

Milestones, milestones, milestones! We've started our 9,000th job and raised our 70,000th support ticket

In the course of a couple of days this week we reached two milestones here at Start Software.

We've raised our 9,000th job, and our 70,000th customer support ticket.  Feels like it too, we've been especially busy all year.

Our 9,000th piece of work is pretty typical for us.  It's for a client we've been working for since 2006 - most of our customers become partners over time.  We work hard to build long-standing relationships with our clients.

The job itself is just a small software change to the business management system that we created for them more than 16 years ago.  It has grown as they have grown.  When we implemented it, they were a two-person company.  They now have more than 200 staff!

Support ticket #70,000 was a bug that one of our users found in one of our apps, Alpha Tracker Mobile.  Did you know that we want our users to report bugs and that we even send a thank you present to everyone that does?  Get in touch if you think you've found one!

Thank you to all of our clients, old and new - we appreciate you, your business and your trust in us.

Release 38.5 of Alpha Tracker & the new Alpha Tracker Mobile are now available

We've just published two updates - Alpha Tracker Release 38.5 and an updated Alpha Tracker Mobile!

With 400+ improvements, you should really notice the difference. 

Here is the video to show you the changes:

Look out for better performance in the client portal and the ability for surveyors to choose their own data to reinspect - even from site!

You can upgrade by yourself or contact the support desk (UK or NZ/Aus) for help.