Advanced Computer Software Group plc, a provider of software and IT services for patient care, accounting and business management, has returned to the acquisition trail with the purchase of Surrey based CareSys Software Ltd for £2.6m in cash.

CareSys’ leading product, the eponymously named CareSys, is a community healthcare software solution used by more than 170 community and specialist care providers in the UK and covers bed management, roster scheduling, billing and other services.

ACS says that the latest addition to its Health and Care division strengthens the firm’s position as the leading supplier of software to care homes, community care centres and hospices, with the Group now serving more than 1,000 care providers across the UK.

The deal is the latest in a string of acquisitions by fast-growing ACS. In February this year ACS bought COA Solutions for £100m propelling it into the top three of UK accountancy software firms.

Previous ACS acquisitions had focused on the health and social care markets. Since August 2008, ACS has acquired and integrated five companies: Adastra, BSG, StaffPlan, Healthy Software and Oak Labs India.

Vin Murria, chief executive of Advanced, said: "The acquisition of CareSys strengthens our product portfolio in the community care sector and brings new clients that could benefit from other products and services provided by the Advanced Group.”