Acquisitive ACS quadruples top line in H1

Healthcare-focused software and services player approaches £50m half-year sales mark after series of buyouts

Vin Murria: We are confident that the Comprehensive Spending Review and the move away from PCTs to GP consortia will provide opportunities

A rash of acquisitions saw Advanced Computer Software (ACS) increase sales more than fourfold in the first half of its fiscal year.

For the six months to the end of August, the Cobham-based software and services firm grew revenue 330 per cent year on year to £47.3m. Organic top-line growth stood at seven per cent. Operating profit in H1 was up 72 per cent annually to £3.1m.

The publicly listed firm, which specialises in the healthcare sector, claims user numbers for its mobile applications iNurse and iConnect increased from 600 to 4,450 during H1. Negotiations are ongoing to sign up another 4,250 users. Other success stories included the company's shared services and pharmacy health check offerings, according to ACS.

The integration of the firm's largest and most recent acquisition, COA Solutions, has also now been completed. ACS coughed up £100m to acquire its healthcare IT rival in February. The deal was the latest in a mini-buying spree, which saw ISV StaffPlan and reseller Business Systems Group acquired in summer 2009.

ACS chief executive Vin Murria said: "These results clearly show that we are delivering on our promise to build a strong, growing business focused on healthcare and business applications.

"We are confident that the Comprehensive Spending Review and the move away from Primary Care Trusts to GP Consortia will provide us with opportunities for further growth as we continue to look for new markets, products and businesses. "