As well as demonstrating a solid performance expected for the first half, today's statement from the company showed that the firm's customers - in both the private and public sector -  were looking to increase efficiency through investing in IT, said analysts.

The agreement will see Advanced's iNurse smartphone-based patient management system more widely available to healthcare professionals. This, said analysts, should help to accelerate take up from a current 7,000 users by bringing Advanced a potential market of 465,000 users for its technology

Broker FinnCap outlined the scope and scale of the opportunity open to Advanced Computer Software today as it initiated coverage of the group with a 55p a share price target. In a 20-page research note entitled 'Enabling NHS Thrift', analyst Andrew Darley said it was rare for a company to enjoy such a strong tail-wind as the one currently driving ACS forward.

The company is following up a transformational year by building on its strong foundations to produce an excellent set of interims. Aside from the massive headline figures, the group also reported 7 percent organic revenue growth and chief executive Vin Murria sees new opportunities stemming from NHS reforms.