Civica acquires SFW to aid digital transformation offering

Civica has acquired government digital specialist SFW to add a 200-strong software development team to its digital services capability

SFW, based in Woking with an offshore development centre in Vadodara, India, specialises in building and managing digital solutions for the public sector, supplying 70 organisations predominantly in UK national and local government.

Core capabilities are focused around digital engagement, CRM-based applications and workplace collaboration. Off-the-shelf products include SFW Plaza, a Microsoft Office 365-based hosted intranet solution for the public sector. The acquisition strengthens Civica’s position and capability as a digital partner for the markets it serves.

SFW government customers include the Home Office, DEFRA and DECC, together with non-departmental bodies such as the Environment Agency, Acas and the Electoral Commission, which deployed a digital service created by SFW to collate the results of the EU Referendum. The company also works with local public services and regulated markets.

SFW’s Indian development centre provides “cost-effective” application development, support and testing services, said Civica.

Simon Downing, chairman, Civica, said: “At a time when the public sector is looking to modernise services and make savings through digital transformation, the skills and experience of SFW’s team are an excellent fit and extend our market-leading digital services capability following the acquisitions of IPL and WTG.”

The value of the acquisition has not been disclosed.

@AntonySavvas