Avco Systems

What Avco Systems does

Avco Systems Ltd is a privately held, family-owned UK bespoke software development company founded in January 1986 at Brunel University Science Park and headquartered in Slough, Berkshire. The company employs 50+ staff and has delivered 315 projects for 731 clients over four decades, serving FTSE 100 enterprises, UK local authorities, central government bodies, and the education sector. Its core service lines are bespoke software development (web, mobile, IoT, cloud migration, legacy modernisation), managed ISO 27001-certified hosting, and a portfolio of proprietary data transfer and security products. The proprietary product suite includes Authinity (identity management/SSO), SFX and AnyComms Plus (secure file transfer for enterprise and education respectively), A2C/A2MIS (AS4/EBXML-based examination data transport serving UK awarding organisations and ~5,500 centres per awarding body), and Payroll EDI (HMRC Government Gateway integration). The company is differentiated by 40 years of accumulated domain expertise in secure data exchange, ISO 27001/9001/Cyber Essentials Plus certifications, and long-tenured engineering staff providing direct client access from inception through delivery. Revenue is generated through fixed-price and time-and-materials bespoke development contracts, recurring managed hosting and product subscriptions (Authinity, SFX, AnyComms Plus, A2C), and transactional payroll bureau fees. The go-to-market is consultative direct sales targeting UK enterprise and public sector buyers, supplemented by free initial consultations, product free trials (Authinity, SFX), SEO/content marketing via the company engineering blog, and organic social presence on LinkedIn, X, and Facebook.

Name

Avco Systems

Legal name

Avco Systems Ltd

Website

https://avcosystems.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Avco Systems is a 40-year-old, family-owned UK bespoke software developer and managed hosting provider serving FTSE 100 enterprises, local authorities, and the education sector with secure data transfer products including Authinity, SFX, AnyComms Plus, and A2C examination data transport.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Slough

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Bespoke Software Development & Consulting: Revenue from delivering custom software projects for organisations of all sizes, from startups to FTSE 100 companies and government bodies. Projects span web applications, mobile apps, IoT devices, data processing solutions, legacy modernisation, and digital transformation. Typically fixed-price or time-and-materials contracts with direct client engagement.
2. Managed Platform Hosting & Maintenance: Recurring revenue from fully managed and secure data centre hosting, providing ongoing support, monitoring, and maintenance for clients' systems. The company operates its own ISO 27K-certified data centre.
3. Data Transfer and Security Products: Revenue from proprietary products including Authinity (identity management), SFX (secure file transfer), AnyComms Plus (secure file transfer for education), A2C/A2MIS (education data transport), and Payroll EDI services. These are sold as subscriptions or licences to organisations.
4. Payroll Bureau Service: Bureau service for file conversion and transfers, including year-end returns and file exchanges with HMRC throughout the year, as well as EDI submissions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Avco Systems delivers bespoke software development and consulting for web, mobile, and IoT applications, alongside a portfolio of proprietary data transfer and security products. Its core software products include Authinity (modern identity/SSO), SFX and AnyComms Plus (cloud-based secure file transfer), A2C/A2MIS (AS4/EBXML education examination data transport), and Payroll EDI (HMRC-facing bureau and client services). The offering is anchored by an ISO 27001-certified managed hosting data centre in Slough, UK.

Product overview

Avco Systems is a bespoke software development company with a portfolio of proprietary products spanning secure file transfer, identity management, education data transport, and payroll services. The core product suite consists of: Authinity (modern SSO/identity management), A2C (education examination data transport), SFX and AnyComms Plus (secure file transfer solutions for different market segments), and Payroll EDI (bureau and client software for HMRC submissions). These products share common foundations in secure data transfer, encryption, and compliance - particularly serving the education sector, local authorities, and enterprise clients. The company also offers custom software development services including app development, IoT integration, managed hosting, and data processing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Authinity: Modern identity management service with SSO and two-factor authentication capabilities
• SFX
• AnyComms Plus
• A2C / Avco Education Services
• A2MIS
• Payroll Services

Products and services

• Authinity Modern identity management and SSO solution with two-factor authentication, encryption, password blacklists, and OpenID Connect integration. Customisable look, feel, and security policies for organisations needing compliance-grade identity controls.
• Avco SFX (Secure File eXchange) Cloud-based Secure File eXchange service for organisations to securely transfer large files and messages to colleagues and third parties without the security risks of email. Features include virus scanning, encryption, self-registration, bounce notifications, and API-driven user creation.
• AnyComms Plus Web-based secure file transfer system for schools and local authorities, providing automated file broadcasts, questionnaires, audit trails, customisable forms, TLS connections, and encrypted file storage.
• A2C / Avco Education Services (Data Transport) Market-leading transport service for the UK awarding industry, providing AS4/EBXML-based cryptographically signed and encrypted point-to-point transfer of examination and assessment data between centres and JCQ awarding organisations.
• Payroll EDI Services Bureau and client-based Payroll EDI services covering file conversion and transfer to HMRC, supporting GFF, EDIFACT, and XML formats through the Government Gateway, including year-end returns and ongoing file exchanges.
• Bespoke Software Development (App Development) Bespoke application development of reliable, responsive web, mobile, and desktop apps for organisations of any scale or sector, delivered via fixed-price or time-and-materials contracts with a security-first approach and automated test suites.
• IoT Device Integration End-to-end IoT engineering combining robust firmware, scalable backend platforms, and intuitive user interfaces to connect business-critical IoT devices to cloud services, exemplified by the Home Care Smart Hub for care providers and local authorities.
• Managed Hosting (ISO 27K Data Centre) Fully monitored, ISO 27001-certified managed hosting in Avco's UK data centre, providing ongoing support, monitoring, maintenance, and scalable cloud services for Avco's own products and clients' bespoke systems.
• Payroll Bureau Service Bureau service that converts and transfers payroll files with HMRC, including year-end returns, ongoing exchanges, and EDI submissions for organisations that prefer outsourced handling over running client software.
• Analysis and Design Services Consultative analysis and design service that streams client requirements, improves user journeys, and optimises systems architecture using 40 years of experience, free as an initial no-obligation engagement.

Quantifiable outcome

• 345,000+ result files distributed to schools and colleges worldwide since 2011
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Avco Systems won the JCQ tender to develop the Data Transport Application (A2C/A2MIS) for the UK awarding industry. The system has supported the operation of the examination sector since 2011 and is used by multiple JCQ awarding organisations. Avco also serves as a transport service provider for awarding organisations, with the system scaled to support approximately 5,500 centres per awarding organisation across 5 major awarding bodies.
• ExperiancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1995Avco's partnership with Experian began in 1995 when AnyComms was licensed by Experian, and the relationship has continued to the present day. Avco has delivered multiple major projects for Experian including AnyComms, AutoCheck.co.uk, a legacy platform modernisation, and the Pension Protection Fund solution. Experian Automotive is described as a key long-term strategic partner.
• UK Universities (Industrial Placement Partners)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAvco partners with UK universities to offer industrial placements, welcoming multiple students and graduates every year. The current director Pete Lambert joined the business through such a programme over 20 years ago.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• BJSS: UK-headquartered bespoke software and digital transformation consultancy serving enterprise and public sector clients. Highly comparable in target market (FTSE-grade enterprises and UK government), delivery model (custom software, cloud, data), and size profile.
• Kainos: UK-listed digital technology company providing bespoke software, data, and platform services to public sector and commercial clients. Comparable in custom software development focus and strong UK government/local authority customer base.
• Made Tech: UK digital services consultancy focused on public sector technology delivery. Highly comparable in vertical (UK local authorities and government), delivery of bespoke software, and emphasis on secure, compliant platforms.
• AND Digital: UK-based digital engineering consultancy building bespoke software for enterprise clients. Comparable in custom development focus, UK presence, and enterprise customer orientation.
• Version 1: UK and Ireland IT services company providing custom software development, cloud, and managed services. Comparable in custom development model and UK/European enterprise and public sector customer mix.

Broad incumbents

• Netcompany: Nordic-origin digital transformation and bespoke software firm with major UK public sector operations. Comparable in delivery of large-scale custom software to government and enterprise, though materially larger and broader in scope.
• Thoughtworks: Global bespoke software and digital transformation consultancy (now part of Accenture). Comparable in custom software and platform engineering services for enterprise, though operates at significantly larger scale internationally.
• Civica: Major UK software and services provider focused on the public sector. Comparable in UK local authority and government customer base, particularly in document/records management and regulated workflows, though typically via packaged software rather than purely bespoke.
• FDM Group: UK-listed IT services firm providing consultants for custom software, data, and change programmes. Comparable in bespoke software and consulting delivery to UK enterprises, though with a stronger graduate-deployment model.
• Infinity Works (Capita): UK technology consultancy (now part of Capita) delivering custom software, cloud, and data engineering. Comparable in bespoke engineering services to UK enterprise and public sector clients.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/avcosystems
• Facebookfacebook.com/avcosystems
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/avcosystems

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Avco Systems