NEC Software Solutions

NEC Software Solutions
Company logo after its rebranding in July 2021
Formerly	Northgate Public Services
Industry	outsourcing & public sector software and services.
Founded	1969; 56 years ago (1969)
Area served	Worldwide, based in the United Kingdom
Key people	Tina Whitley (CEO)
Products	Former computer manufacturer
Owners	NEC Corporation
Number of employees	1400
Website	www.necsws.com

Early years

The company was founded as CMC (Computer Machinery Company Limited) on 18 September 1969 by Ray Parry. They were originally distributors and subsequently manufacturers of key-to-disk computer systems made by a US-based Computer Machinery Corporation. The systems were used by companies and government departments for data capture. In 1976, CMC developed a bit-slice microprocessor-based intelligent the P99, which is used both as a front-end processor to the key-to-disk systems and as a terminal, in its own right. It then evolved the P99 into the P141—another front-end processor, which it used to implement a new data capture system called Sovereign. This was used in manufacturing companies such as Rolls-Royce plc, British Steel Corporation and various government departments, including providing data capture for the DHSS at Newcastle upon Tyne. It later evolved into the M8000 system, based on Intel-processor-based systems.^[4]

In 1976, CMC merged with Microdata Corporation, a California-based computer company, whose 1973-released Reality operating and database environment product CMC was also distributing. The companies continued to use separate trading names in their respective regions until 1981. The Reality name was given to Microdata's computer system and the operating system, a version of the Pick operating system. Microdata owned rights to the Pick operating system in parallel with Dick Pick, who had developed it with Microdata. CMC Leasing Limited (the official trading name) then changed its name to Microdata UK Limited, aka MUK. The company then started UK manufacture of the Reality range of computer systems in Hemel Hempstead. Microdata was purchased by McDonnell Douglas Corporation in 1985. The company was re-branded as McDonnell Douglas Information Systems Limited (MDIS).^[4]

The company introduced the M9000 (called Sequoia in the U.S.) that offered dynamic performance using soft-loaded firmware and processor performance keys using the same hardware components to minimise sparing and maximise cost-effectiveness (although 1Mb memory sold for 25,000 GBP in those days). A new manufacturing and office complex was built in Boundary Way, Hemel Hempstead. Work started almost as soon as the building opened to double its size. The company then produced the UK-designed Spirit processor that was launched as a lower-end Reality product as the M6000. Later, the company developed the Series 19 (aka Pegasus) successor to the Sequoia, using a development team spanning the engineering facilities in Hemel Hempstead, UK, and Irvine, California.^[4]

This section does not cite any sources. (July 2021)

1992 was the last year MDIS developed computer systems in-house, which meant the end of domestic manufacturing within the UK. It continued its hardware and systems integration work, having produced RealityX, an open platform Reality environment (internally known for a time as CORA). This was the result of several years of development, taking the Reality operating system (ROS) and re-engineering to a Unix application capable of running on non-MDIS computers. RealityX provided not only end-user/application compatibility but also provided it at the developer assembler level. The same source code was used for RealityX and the original Reality implementations. RealityX allowed the Reality operating environment and applications developed for Reality to continue to be sold and maintained under the SeriesX name.

Initially, MDIS used UNIX systems from Encore Computer, then from Motorola Computer Systems and Data General—all using M88k RISC processors and Unix System V. Later, they moved to run on Solaris-based systems from Sun Microsystems. The open approach eventually led to a Microsoft Windows platform in 1995 and continued feature enhancements that are still being developed as of 2007^[update]. As a corollary to this operating environment, MDIS acquired and developed its PROIV fourth-generation language (4GL), which was used worldwide by companies including Fujitsu. A variant was implemented on REALITY called ALL (Application Language Liberator).

In 1993, a management buyout occurred. 29 Senior Managers and Directors of the company, under the leadership of CEO Jerry Causley, purchased the company through Barings Bank from McDonnell Douglas.

In 1994, the company was floated on the London Stock Exchange. Shares were sold for £260 each. Within two months they were worth less than £100.

Through the latter part of the 1990s, most of the original directors and senior managers left, to be replaced by a new management group. The new CEO, John Klien, took the reins after the company issued yet another profit warning to the stock exchange. The company's key application products (Human Resources) were re-implemented in PRO-IV to improve product availability and functionality.

In 1998, the Maylands Park South Building in Hemel Hempstead was sold to 3Com. This complex had accommodated about 600 staff, who were either relocated to the other Maylands Park building or, with others in the group, made redundant.

In 1999, Chris Stone was appointed as CEO. At this time the company was losing about £100m a year and several years of downsizing and rationalisation followed. The company re-focused on its core, local Government and Public Sector (police, fire, and ambulance) markets and application products (Payroll, Pensions and HR systems). Services such as hardware maintenance and managed services were also offered.^[5]

2000s

In 2000, the company was rebranded to shed the old loss-making image, and the company changed its name to Northgate Information Solutions. This was actually the name of a small software house that the old MDIS company purchased years earlier. Through "re-focusing", and the loss of about two-thirds of the original MDIS staff, the business finally regained profitability in 2001. Through the sale of the health business unit, the company raised capital for acquisitions.

In 2002, Northgate acquired Prolog (payroll outsourcing services). In 2003, The company acquired CaraPeople, (payroll outsourcing), blue8, (location and citizen-centric IT systems for emergency services), Hays CSG, (data management information systems (police) and consulting), PWA Group, (HR applications).

In 2004, the company acquired Rebus (previously Peterborough Software), one of its main competitors (HR Group, which provides HR and payroll services), and CIM Systems (communication technologies for control room environments). As a result of its larger capitalisation, it became listed on the London Stock Exchange FTSE 250 Index.

In 2005, Sx3 and MVM Holdings were acquired; however, a number of the old Northgate staff now felt that they were working for Sx3 due to the integration of their senior managers.^{[citation needed]}

In June 2007, Northgate bought ARINSO to create NorthgateArinso (NGA) . NorthgateArinso in 2011 and 2012 was acknowledged in HR and payroll outsourcing by industry analysts such as Gartner, IDC and Everest Research.^[6]

Private equity giant Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, (KKR) acquired Northgate in November 2007, for £593m. Northgate chairman at the time, Ron Mackintosh said the offer from KKR was good value and he predicted a bright future for the firm under private-equity ownership.^[7]

In November 2008, Northgate Information Solutions UK Ltd acquired Anite Public Sector Holdings Ltd from Anite plc. Convergys sold its Human Resources Management line of business to NorthgateArinso in 2010.^{[citation needed]}

Northgate Managed Services, specialising in Managed IT Services to the UK mid-market, was acquired by Capita in February 2013.^[8]

Northgate Public Services was acquired by Cinven in December 2014.^[9]

In 2017, NGA HR (payroll service organization From Northgate Information Solutions) announced that it had sold its UK Mid-Market and UK SME sections to Bain Capital to focus on the growing demand from enterprise businesses for multi-country HR and payroll services.^[10]

The company acquired service design agency Snook in June 2019^[11] and criminal justice software provider i2N in August 2018.^[12]

It was announced in January 2018 that following Bain Capital's acquisition of NGA HR's UK and Ireland division, they would rebrand as a separate company providing payroll services under the new name Zellis.^[13]

The company acquired APD Communications, a software supplier to the emergency services, public safety and control room markets in January 2019^[14] and the specialist and care division EMIS Health in April 2019.^[15]

On 22 August 2019, it was announced that Alight Solutions would acquire NGA Human Resources.^[16]

2020s

Tina Whitley was appointed chief executive officer on 1 April 2021.^[17]

The company changed its name to NEC Software Solutions UK on 1 July 2021.^[18]^[19]

On 1 October 2021, NEC Software Solutions UK commenced the acquisition of Capita plc’s Secure Solutions and Services (SSS) business.^[20] The transaction was subject to a review by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which ran from 5 January 2022 to 1 August 2023.^[21] During this period, the business operated as an independent company under the name SSS Public Safety Ltd. Following the conclusion of the CMA review, NEC Software Solutions UK completed the acquisition of SSS Public Safety.^[22]

In August 2025, NEC Software Solutions UK completed the acquisition of Cadcorp Limited.^[23]

Hertfordshire oil storage terminal fire

On Sunday, 11 December 2005, an explosion and fire at the Buncefield oil depot, located adjacent to the company’s Hemel Hempstead offices, destroyed the head office complex..^{[citation needed]}

Two managed services staff working in the data centre at the time were not injured. Hemel Hempstead–based staff were subsequently instructed to report to offices in Oxford and Peterborough.

The company’s share price fell on the first trading day following the incident but recovered later the same day. Managed services systems were transferred to alternative facilities, including a site in Hounslow, using off-site backups as part of the company’s disaster recovery arrangements.^{[citation needed]} These systems included managed networks supporting hospitals in East Anglia. All customer payrolls were processed on schedule during this period.

Following the incident, chief executive officer Chris Stone spoke publicly on commercial disaster recovery.

Later corporate developments

In October 2006, the company announced that it had received an unsolicited takeover approach, which did not proceed.^[24]

In December 2007, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR) agreed to acquire the company for £593 million.^[25] The acquisition was completed in March 2008, after which Northgate Information Systems plc was delisted from the London Stock Exchange.^[26]

In April 2008, the company ranked forty-seventh in Britain’s Top Employer 2008.^[27]

Northgate Managed Services was acquired by Capita in February 2013, and Northgate Public Services was acquired by Cinven in December 2014.

NEC Software Solutions

History

Early years

2000s

2020s

Hertfordshire oil storage terminal fire

Later corporate developments

Operations

Government

Healthcare

Housing

Public safety

See also

References

External links

Wikiwand - on