ClearCourse acquires Avon Data Systems to boost hospitality growth

ClearCourse has announced its acquisition of Avon Data Systems, a property management systems provider serving the UK hospitality industry.

Avon Data Systems has become part of ClearCourse's portfolio, which already includes several industry-specific software and payments solutions for small and mid-sized enterprises. Avon Data Systems, established in 1986, is recognised as one of the largest privately owned technology partners in the UK's property management systems (PMS) landscape, supporting clients that range from prominent groups, such as Fuller's Hotels and Inns, to a wide variety of independent hotels across the country.

Since the launch of its flagship product, Rezcontrol, in 2020, Avon Data Systems has leveraged its three decades of sector experience to develop a management platform that combines cloud-based technology with functionality tailored to the evolving needs of the hospitality sector. Rezcontrol now serves more than 450 hotels across the UK, providing solutions that support areas such as guest communications, housekeeping, payments, and distribution.

The adaptability of Rezcontrol is underscored by its ability to serve various types of hospitality businesses, ranging from full-service hotels to pubs with rooms, and its compatibility with a range of additional integrations, including table reservations, point-of-sale systems, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, and revenue management tools.

A distinguishing aspect of Avon Data Systems is its commitment to offering personalised customer support, with many team members possessing direct experience in the hospitality sector. This enables the company to partner closely with clients and ensure they have access not only to technology but to guidance that helps maximise the benefits of the PMS for their operations.

The acquisition is set to reinforce Avon Data Systems' growth objectives. As part of the ClearCourse group, the business will gain access to cross-selling opportunities with other software, such as TISSL and Giftpro. This enables Rezcontrol customers to access a suite of integrated offerings covering PMS, point-of-sale, gifting, embedded payments, and more, within one unified platform.

ClearCourse states that this transaction supports its broader ambition to provide robust technology to small businesses and to position itself as an essential partner for business growth and transformation in the UK. The addition of Avon Data Systems to the group is intended to strengthen ClearCourse's position in the hospitality sector and further its strategy for embedded payments and software solutions.

Christina Hamilton, CEO of ClearCourse, said,

"It is fantastic to welcome Avon Data Systems into the ClearCourse group as part of our Retail & Hospitality Software division, which will further strengthen our offering in this high-growth sector. Avon Data Systems' Rezcontrol is an innovative solution that puts cutting-edge software in the hands of growing businesses who need them most. We are excited by the natural integration points of Rezcontrol into our existing customer bases, strengthening the ClearCourse value proposition as an integrated and comprehensive solution set for our customers."

Sarah Cade, Managing Director of Avon Data Systems, commented on the collaboration:

"We're really excited to be joining the ClearCourse group to supercharge our next stage of growth. For the past 30 years, we've been working with our customers to ensure we are providing them with the innovative solutions they need to run their businesses smoothly and efficiently. ClearCourse is the ideal strategic partner to continue building on our goal of becoming the go-to solution for hospitality businesses looking for reliable, integrated software and payment solutions."

ClearCourse, established in London and backed by Aquiline, has expanded rapidly since its inception, acquiring more than 40 software and payment solution businesses. Its stated ambition is to power small and mid-sized businesses across the UK and Ireland by 2030, and this acquisition adds another capability in a sector it has designated as high-growth and strategically important.

Avon Data Systems, through Rezcontrol, has developed a reputation for offering adaptable and user-friendly property management technology with an emphasis on transparency and customer service. Its integration into ClearCourse's operations is expected to provide further resources and opportunities to scale its services across the hospitality sector in the UK.