Asbestos Surveying Solutions goes live with Alpha Tracker

Asbestos Surveying Solutions have now had their asbestos software Alpha Tracker training from Judy. 

It was "face-to-face" training as usual, but trainer and trainees were not in the same country! Thanks to Skype, the training was delivered remotely.  The power of technology!!

The asbestos professionals at Asbestos Surveying Solutions - via Skype!

If we can help you and your asbestos surveying business to become more productive using our Tracker family of asbestos software products, do get in touch (Australia/New Zealand or UK).

Lovely comments from client - it makes the hard work worthwhile!

We've had a good week for "thank you" emails from software development clients, with two standing out in particular.

The first is from a client using an old ("legacy") Alpha 5 system which we have been supporting & developing over the last year or two:

"Thank you for your support over the past couple of years. We would not have built the control centre to its current state without your knowledge, help & support"

The second is from a client at the end of a long and complex Alpha Anywhere software development project.  The build has taken years and it has not been an easy journey at times, but we are now approaching the final straight.  One of the directors at the client sent us this message on Monday:

"The software is really starting to shine now and I can see the planned benefits being delivered each day"

It's lovely when we get messages like this and it gives the team a real boost. So thanks for saying thanks!

If you have anything to tell us - good or bad - please do get in touch via our website.

Thanks to you, we've raised more than £1000 for Mesothelioma UK

Over the weekend I competed in the Long Mynd Hike, a 50 mile non-stop trek over the Shropshire hills.  Blimey it was tough!! I met people on the walk who have done it every year for more than 20 years... I literally have no idea why you would do it more than once.  19 hours on my feet was enough for me!

580 walkers start the event

One of the overnight check points

19 hours later and I'm top of Ragleth, the last hill

I decided to enter the challenge to raise money for the asbestos cancer Mesothelioma UK after a friend died of this dreadful disease in August this year.  Our Tracker family of software products has been helping asbestos surveyors to locate and manage asbestos in buildings for nearly 20 years, but I never did imagine that I'd see the impact of asbestos diseases so close to home.

Thanks to everyone who donated, we've raised more than £1000 for the asbestos cancer charity Mesothelioma UK.  If you feel able to add to this, please go to this link and give what you can: https://www.justgiving.com/robinbennett-asbestos-hike.  Thanks again.

Alpha Tracker "IIS" deployments show improved performance

We've been running performance tests this week on a new server setup for our asbestos software, Alpha Tracker.

Alpha Tracker running on IIS

Traditionally, we use Alpha's own web server software to deploy our system on client or hosted servers but increasingly we are being asked to use the Microsoft "IIS" web server instead.

Initial tests show really good performance so do get in touch if you want us to discuss a switch to IIS for your system.

Meet the team - Tom Watkins

Software developer Tom works primarily on web and mobile (app) software development using the Alpha Anywhere platform.  He is usually based at our Telford office when not working on site with our clients.

Software developer Tom Watkins

Out of work, Tom enjoys socialising and going to the gym.

Improved Support Desk performance in September - 91% of all calls solved in time

Jack, Oliver and colleagues on the Start Software Support Desk have had a very good September with our best results for a while.

Altogether, 91% of support calls were resolved in time with 95% of high priority problems solved within 2 hours.  Even calls raised by asbestos surveyors out of hours (we offer a 24x7 support service to our Alpha Tracker asbestos consultancy clients) were answered immediately and resolved.

Performance continues to rise since May

You can see from the chart (above) that support desk performance has been on the rise since May 2017 - well done and thanks to the team.

Site visit to get user feedback from new archaeology app

We've been developing a tablet app for commercial archaeologists Cotswold Archaeology (see http://robinbennett.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/robin-presents-cotswold-archaeology.html for more info) and it is now in live trials.

The app has been developed using the Alpha Anywhere toolset to enable us to deliver an offline-capable multi-OS app (running on Android, iOS and Windows tablets).  We build all sorts of apps for all sorts of industries - can we help you?

As the app is used "in the field" (literally!) the users are having ideas which will improve the app and its useability.  I dropped in on Friday to see the users at a live dig and to get their feedback.

A very muddy site!

A quick break from work gives me the chance to quiz the app users

The site won't look like this for long - time to capture the archaeology before the development begins 

PS thanks everyone for the tea & biscuits