🎉 Celebrating Our 100,000th Support Ticket!

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.

1,000,000 grateful customers (well, most of them...)

A huge thank you to our customers

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.

And an even bigger thank you to our support team

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.

Looking ahead

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! 🚀

Faster report production with our Cloud Document Maker update

Jack and the team have deployed a new version of Cloud Document Maker which means that some Alpha Tracker clients - water hygiene users in particular - will notice that their documents are generated much more quickly.

Yet another AI-generated blog image

There is also an update coming soon which will increase the speed of asbestos report generation - so watch out for that.

Alpha Software roadmap review with Selwyn and his development team

Jack, Dan & Robin held an Alpha Software roadmap review with CEO Selwyn and his development team today.

Jack, the Alpha Software team (via Teams), and Dan

Start Software are Alpha Software's UK professional partners with specialists working in Alpha Anywhere, Alpha TransForm and Alpha Cloud.  We build and support apps and web systems using the Alpha Software development framework.

During the two-hour review, we covered a huge range of topics, including:

• the "free threading" performance improvements in the Alpha app server
• alternative deployment platforms (including Linux)
• use of better code editors and alternative debugging options
• automated testing tools
• upcoming improvements and changes to the Alpha Cloud deployment platform
• and - finally - AI.

It was a really useful call - and one we'll repeat in a few months.

If you need help with your Alpha-based system, get in touch.

PS it was great to include the UK Alpha legend Glen Schild from gjstats.co.uk on the call, too!

Birmingham Tech Week: Robin & Andrew exploring the AI frontier

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.

Ozzy pre-AI modification

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.

The Town Hall

The sun was shining on the event

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.

Inside the impressive ICC

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.

The panel gathers

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)

Robin to present at the Global Asbestos Forum 2025 — exploring how AI is transforming the asbestos industry

It's time for the next Global Asbestos Forum and asbestos software Alpha Tracker is a sponsor with Robin, Kim & Catherine all attending.  AI will be the theme - and so we asked AI to create the text and images for this post!

Start Software’s CEO Robin will be speaking at the Global Asbestos Forum 2025 in Bergen, Norway, next month.

Robin's hair is this grey - AI got it spot-on

One of the themes this year is Artificial Intelligence, and Robin will be showcasing a number of real-world AI tools we’ve developed alongside asbestos software Alpha Tracker to help asbestos professionals work faster, safer, and smarter.

From automating data capture to intelligent risk assessment and report QC (checking the quality of final asbestos reports), these innovations are already saving analysts and surveyors hours each week — and Robin will be demonstrating them live on stage.

“AI isn’t for tomorrow,” says Robin. “It’s solving everyday problems for asbestos consultants right now — and this session will show exactly how.”

The Global Asbestos Forum is an annual gathering of industry leaders, researchers, and technology innovators from around the world. It’s a brilliant opportunity to connect, learn, and see how the asbestos industry is evolving with the help of new technology.

📅 When: 13 & 14 November 2025
📍 Where: Bergen, Norway
🎟️ Registration: https://www.globalasbestosforum.org/conference/

If you work in asbestos consultancy, compliance, or technology, this is one event you shouldn’t miss.

Alpha Tracker specialists Kim & Catherine will also be at the conference showing some of the new AI features.  Come and find them on the asbestos software Alpha Tracker exhibition stand.

Kim & Catherine? Not sure! But at least it's our stand (it's actually Judy)

Book your place now and see how AI is already reshaping asbestos management for the better.  You'll also get to visit the wonderful Bergen, Norway!

Alpha Tracker at the Global Asbestos Forum, Bergen

From Kosovo to Hickory’s: Fatbardh’s first UK visit, World Summit AI, and a fond farewell

We’ve loved hosting our remote Alpha developer, Fatbardh, who flew in from Kosovo with his fiancée, Fortesa, for his first-ever UK trip.

Fatbardh in our Telford HQ

After 12 months of coding brilliance on Start’s Alpha-based platforms (including projects such as OERCA, Greenfield and OnTarget) , it was wonderful to finally swap video calls for real coffee and conversation.

Jamie, Lucas, Zac, Fatbardh & Melika in today's AI meeting

A year of remote impact

Over the past year, Fatbardh has helped us move faster and smarter on all of our Alpha Anywhere-based software platforms including OERCA, Greenfield, OnTarget and Alpha Tracker (Start’s cloud-based platform used by asbestos surveying, water hygiene, environmental and compliance teams). From performance tweaks to UI polish and sprint support, he’s been a calm, capable presence in our stand-ups and releases.

First UK steps—and a hop to World Summit AI As part of the visit, Fatbardh also made it to World Summit AI in Amsterdam. Conferences are great for perspective, and this one underscored a few themes we care about: practical AI to augment developer workflows, responsible data use, and MLOps that keeps experimentation measurable. Expect to see those ideas inform how we prototype features and test quality in Alpha Tracker over the coming months.

Team time at Hickory’s

We wrapped the visit with a team lunch at Hickory’s—a proper chance to say thank you. It’s amazing how breaking bread together accelerates trust. Conversations that would take weeks to unfold online happened in an hour over ribs and fries.

Adam, Melika, Catherine, Lucas, Fortesa, Fatbardh, Zac, Jamie & Jack
(Dan & Robin were paying the bill!)

What we learned (and will keep doing)

- Plan purposeful in-person time: We combined the visit with a roadmap workshop and sprint retrospective so decisions stuck.

- Pair programming in bursts: Two-hour pairing blocks helped ship tricky fixes and share patterns faster than a week of comments.

- Bring the customer voice closer: Shadowing our support desk gave live insight into how our clients use features day-to-day.

- Make space for life: Including Fortesa in socials reminded us that strong teams are built around people, not just projects.

Next stop: Edinburgh—then home

Before heading back, Fatbardh and Fortesa are squeezing in a quick trip to Edinburgh via Shrewsbury and Telford. Then it’s wheels up and back to Kosovo, with fresh ideas, full notebooks, and a lot of new inside jokes.

Fatbardh & Fortesa outside their luxury Shrewsbury hotel (yes, OK, it's a Premier Inn!)

Thank you, Fatbardh (and thank you, Fortesa!).  Safe travels and see you back in our stand-ups. We’re grateful for the impact you’ve had on our Alpha team and excited for what’s next as we keep improving the platform for the teams who rely on it every day.

Intelligent scheduling in action: FLS VISITOUR team visits Alpha Tracker HQ

We welcomed our partners from FLS VISITOUR to the Alpha Tracker UK HQ in Telford this week.

The teams came together for a lively, in person catch up with great conversation, shared ideas, and, yes, sandwiches and cakes to keep the energy up. The focus: how our partnership is helping organisations schedule smarter and make life better for the people doing the work out in the field.

The Alpha Tracker and FLS VISITOUR teams

The visit was all about collaboration and innovation, strengthening our partnership and reviewing the AI-powered scheduling integration that connects FLS VISITOUR’s intelligent technology with Alpha Tracker’s open, flexible platform. Together, we’re helping asbestos, environmental and compliance businesses plan smarter, faster, and greener.

James from FLS joins the Alpha Tracker team remotely - nice squidgy van, too

FLS VISITOUR’s technology uses artificial intelligence to deliver real-time, optimised scheduling. It automatically assigns the right person, with the right skills and equipment, to every job — and dynamically adjusts as priorities change.

This kind of intelligent scheduling is transforming how field teams operate, especially for organisations managing hundreds of asbestos surveys, environmental assessments or compliance visits each week. When combined with Alpha Tracker’s project management and reporting tools, the result is a seamless, data-driven workflow from instruction to completion.

Alpha Tracker CTO Jack and Simon from FLS reviewing the live data integration between Alpha Tracker and VISITOUR

During the visit, Jack demonstrated the two-way data flow between Alpha Tracker and FLS VISITOUR.

When a new project/appointment is created in Alpha Tracker, it appears instantly in VISITOUR, where the intelligent engine gets to work building the most efficient schedule. Completed visits and updates then flow back automatically, keeping every team in sync without manual intervention.

This integration exemplifies Alpha Tracker’s commitment to openness and connectivity ensuring our clients can link effortlessly to the tools they already trust.

Benefits for field teams

• Less time on the road thanks to optimised routes and sensible sequencing of jobs
• Fewer last minute scrambles because changes are handled automatically
• Clearer daily plans and accurate ETAs sent to clients
• The right person sent to the right job, improving first time completion and morale

Real scenarios we discussed

• An urgent appointment lands at 11am: Visitour finds the nearest suitably skilled colleague,  reshuffles the afternoon, and Alpha Tracker updates the job pack and notifications.
• A customer cancels: the slot is backfilled with a nearby task, reducing dead time and travel.
• Multi site surveys: related visits are grouped to minimise mileage while keeping within access windows and site rules.

What this means for productivity

Office teams gain time back because the “where and when” is handled intelligently. Field colleagues see more predictable days, fewer unnecessary miles and better first time outcomes. The result is higher

utilisation without burning people out - a win for both productivity and job satisfaction.

PS watch the recording of our Alpha Tracker/FLS webinar here: https://alpha-tracker.co.uk/webinars or on YouTube: https://youtu.be/m-dqw8f3E0Q