What Rapid Software Solutions does

Rapid Software Solutions Ltd (formerly AR Digital Solutions Ltd) is a private UK-based software development consultancy founded in 2005 and headquartered in Cullompton, Devon, with a secondary office in Leeds. The company operates with 1-10 employees and is led by Director Andy Routledge. It provides bespoke digital solutions including website design, a proprietary Rapid CMS built on its in-house Jacket PHP framework, custom database systems, product configurators and quote calculators, hosting/cloud services, and legacy system rescue and support. Technology stack spans PHP (Jacket), NodeJS, ASP.NET C#, LEMP/LAMP, MEAN/MERN/MEEN, with integration expertise across Shopify, Salesforce, HubSpot, SAP Business One, Apex27, Pay360, and Cloudflare. Notable proprietary sub-products include the Sales Matrix Tool, Business Case Builder (16-page PDF generation), Product Compatibility Finder with offline trade-show capability, and QR-code-based production tracking with MRP integration.

The company's go-to-market is sales-led and UK-domestic, targeting manufacturing/OEM, healthcare (including NHS), finance, education, real estate, and e-commerce clients through direct outreach, quote-based engagement, case-study-led content marketing, and trade-show presence. Pricing is opaque and project-based: 50% deposit before commencement, balance on completion, with recurring monthly/annual billing for hosting and CMS subscriptions. Revenue mixes one-time project fees with recurring hosting/CMS subscriptions, complemented by compliance-led differentiators (WCAG 2.2, PCI DSS, GDPR, Grade A security) that unlock public-sector and regulated-industry contracts. A pipeline of AI features (semantic search, content generation, enquiry filtering) embedded into the 2024 Rapid CMS redesign represents the company's most recent product bet, though it remains a small, owner-operated firm with no disclosed external funding.

Name

Rapid Software Solutions

Legal name

Rapid Software Solutions Ltd

Website

https://rapidsolutions.io

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Rapid Software Solutions is a private UK-based software development consultancy (1-10 employees) that builds bespoke websites, CMS platforms, databases, and product configurators on its proprietary Jacket PHP framework for mid-market and enterprise clients in manufacturing, healthcare, finance, and education.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Custom Software Development

NAICS

Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Software Publishers (513210), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

Managed Application Platforms (App PaaS & Runtime Services) (HDABAAAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Backup & DR Software Implementation & Managed Platforms (BPAEALAI)

Keywords

• Custom software development
• Content management systems
• Database solutions
• Product configurators
• Cloud hosting services

Headquarters

HQ city

Cullompton

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Website Design Services: Lightweight, high-performance website design and development. Includes micro site solutions, integration with social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn). No ongoing maintenance fees for security updates.
2. Content Management Systems (CMS): Rapid CMS platform for managing 100s-1000s of pages, documents, and teams. Subscription or licensing model with full in-house content control for marketing teams.
3. Database Systems and Applications: Bespoke database solutions including risk assessment forms, surveys, online portals, form wizards with PDF reports, and business case builders. Typically project-based development.
4. Hosting and Cloud Services: Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS) including LEMP/LAMP stacks, IIS for .NET, MEAN/MERN/MEEN for NodeJS, Microsoft Azure, AWS, Digital Ocean. Includes backups, recovery, security, and Cloudflare WAF configuration.
5. Configurators and Sales Tools: Product configurators, quote calculators, buyers guides, sales matrix tools, and product compatibility finders. Includes automated reporting with MS Word integration, fact finding tools, and platform integration (MRP, Salesforce, Hubspot).
6. Support and Rescue Services: Technical support, application rescue, and legacy system maintenance. Supports transition from older technologies to modern practices.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Rapid Software Solutions designs, develops, and hosts bespoke web, CMS, database, and configurator software for UK mid-market and enterprise clients, built on its proprietary Jacket PHP framework. Core deliverables include lightweight websites, the Rapid CMS platform, custom database applications, product configurators and quote calculators, managed cloud hosting, and legacy system rescue services. Integrated AI features for content generation, semantic search, and enquiry filtering are embedded within Rapid CMS.

Product overview

Rapid Software Solutions offers a portfolio of interconnected digital solutions built around its proprietary Jacket PHP framework. The core offering includes Website Design Services (lightweight, fast-loading websites), Rapid CMS (a bespoke multi-site content management platform built on Jacket), Database Systems (bespoke database solutions), Configurators/Quote Calculators (sales tools including Sales Matrix Tool and Product Compatibility Finder), Hosting and Cloud Services, and Support & Rescue Services for legacy systems. These products integrate with third-party platforms including Shopify (eCommerce), Salesforce/HubSpot (CRM), Pay360 (payments), and Apex27 (property management). The platform includes AI-powered features for content generation, semantic search, and enquiry filtering. Recent developments include a major Rapid CMS interface redesign with new AI capabilities in development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Rapid CMS: Bespoke content management system built on the Jacket framework, designed for marketing teams managing large websites with features including reusable content, multi-site management, forms and workflow, resource library, and AI-powered tools.
• Jacket Framework

Products and services

• Website Design Services Lightweight, high-performance website design and development service for UK businesses. Includes micro site solutions and integration with social media platforms. No ongoing maintenance fees required for security updates because the proprietary stack avoids third-party plugin vulnerabilities.
• Rapid CMS Bespoke multi-site content management system built on the proprietary Jacket PHP framework, supporting 500+ pages, multiple personas, multi-site management, reusable content components, forms with workflow, resource library, SEO tools, accessibility support, and built-in AI features (content generation, semantic search, enquiry filtering).
• Database Systems Bespoke database solutions to reduce duplication and human error across business operations. Handles contacts, orders, repairs, risk assessments, support requests, testing, and inspections, and includes a form wizard with PDF report generation.
• Configurators and Quote Calculators Sales tools including online product configurators and quote calculators that return instant pricing and improve quotation consistency. Encompasses the Sales Matrix Tool, Product Compatibility Finder (Buyers Guide), and Business Case Builder, with integration into MRP, Salesforce, HubSpot, and MS Word.
• Hosting and Cloud Services Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS) hosting on Microsoft Azure, AWS, Linux/Nginx, NodeJS, PHP, and ASP.NET IIS stacks. Includes backups, recovery, security configuration, Cloudflare WAF integration, and a 99.9% uptime SLA.
• Support and Rescue Services Technical support, application rescue, and legacy system maintenance for MS Access, Excel/VBA macros, ASP.NET, NodeJS, PHP, WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, WooCommerce, and Visual Basic applications. Includes developer takeover and transition to modern alternatives.
• Shopify eCommerce Integration Shopify-based eCommerce platform with modern payment options (Google Pay, Apple Pay), eBay marketplace integration, mobile-optimized checkout, and unified inventory management for clients such as GR Scott and Photo ID Card People.
• Apex27 Property Management Integration Property management system integration with live property search, Google Geocoding radius search, customer portal, saved searches, favorites, and automated portal feeds to Rightmove, Zoopla, and OnTheMarket, delivered to estate agents such as Lillicrap Chilcott.
• Business Case Builder (Jacket Form Builder) Interactive form builder built with the Jacket Form Builder that generates personalized 16-page PDF business case documents, includes conditional logic and automated budget calculations, and integrates with Salesforce and HubSpot for CRM lead capture.
• Offline Trade Show Configurator (Buyers Guide) Offline-capable product configurator for trade show and reseller use, featuring instant product recommendations, intelligent product selection, visual configuration, embeddable reseller sites, and quick SKU lookup without internet connectivity.

Quantifiable outcome

• 64% faster page loads (2.5s to 0.9s)
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration26 records

AI capability4 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Apex27coreTechnology or IntegrationProperty management system integration partner for estate agent websites. Provides live property search, customer portal, saved searches, favourites/wishlist functionality, and integration with Rightmove, Zoopla, OnTheMarket. Collaboration on Lillicrap Chilcott project.
• Saitech UKminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerIT support partner providing technical transition support for projects like Lillicrap Chilcott's migration from WordPress. Provides managed updates, health checks, network services, VoIP, cloud and email services.
• CloudflarecoreTechnology or IntegrationWeb application firewall (WAF), DDoS protection, and global CDN integration. Highly recommended for all hosting subscriptions. Provides infrastructure protection for NHS sites, Musica Kirklees, and client websites.
• ShopifycoreTechnology or IntegrationE-commerce platform for client websites. Enables Google Pay, Apple Pay, modern payment options, mobile-first design, and eBay channel integration for marketplace sales.
• eBaycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMarketplace integration for GR Scott enabling listing of parts catalog on eBay, reaching millions of potential buyers. Product listings, inventory, and orders sync automatically.
• Pay360coreTechnology or IntegrationPayment processor integration for Musica Kirklees enabling PCI DSS compliant payment processing for lesson fees and event tickets. Seamlessly integrated without external redirects.
• SalesforcecoreTechnology or IntegrationCRM integration for Keyedin Business Case Builder and Platform Events modernization. Enables better client relationship management, sales pipeline tracking, and data synchronization between event management and CRM.
• MailchimpminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEmail marketing automation integration. Used for branded email communications for Lillicrap Chilcott and other clients. Tailored email notifications integrated across websites and property management systems.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• WordPress VIP: Enterprise-grade WordPress platform with a partner agency ecosystem serving regulated and high-traffic clients (including media, government, enterprise) — competes with Rapid CMS for large content-driven deployments.
• Sitecore: Enterprise CMS and digital experience platform used by regulated and large enterprise clients; overlaps with Rapid CMS in multi-site, content-heavy, accessibility-sensitive deployments.

Direct peers

• NetConstruct: UK-based custom digital agency building bespoke CMS, web platforms and integrations for higher education, public sector and enterprise — overlapping in vertical mix and bespoke CMS positioning with Rapid.
• Cyber-Duck: UK-based digital agency delivering bespoke websites, CMS, and custom web applications for enterprise and government clients, with a similar mid-market/enterprise services-led GTM motion and proprietary design/engineering methodology.
• Reason Digital: UK-based digital agency specialising in accessible, WCAG-compliant websites and platforms for healthcare, public sector and non-profits — directly comparable to Rapid's NHS and accessibility-led positioning.
• Code Computerlove: UK digital product agency building bespoke websites, platforms and digital products with proprietary CMS/platform components for enterprise clients across multiple verticals.
• ClearSky Logic: UK-based bespoke software and web development agency providing custom CMS, database, and integration work for mid-market and enterprise clients in regulated industries.

Emerging players

• Webflow: Visual web platform increasingly competing for the same mid-market CMS/website workloads that Rapid delivers bespoke — though it is a horizontal tool rather than a UK services agency.

Others

• Cloudflare: Infrastructure partner already used in Rapid's hosting stack (CDN, WAF, DDoS). Comparable as a peer because Rapid resells/configures Cloudflare and competes for the security/performance layer of client stacks.
• Shopify Partners (UK agencies): Network of UK Shopify agencies that deliver the same eCommerce builds (e.g., GRScott) and adjacent configurator/quote tools that Rapid offers — represents the closest substitute delivery model for retail/OEM clients.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/rapid.solutions01
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rapid01

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Rapid Software Solutions