The UK’s competition watchdog has raised concerns about a merger between two emergency service software providers.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said that NEC Software Solutions’ purchase of SSS raises competition concerns in the “supply of vital software to emergency services and transport customers”.

The companies are two of a small number of providers that supply software solutions to the police, fire and rescue, and ambulance service, as well as transport service providers like Transport for London.

They provide ‘integrated communication and control services’ (ICCS) used by control room personnel in day-to-day duties such as receiving and making urgent phone calls to communicate with emergency response staff, specialised software (referred to as ‘Duties’) to police forces to enable the planning and scheduling of shifts, and records management systems (RMS) which enable the police to record and manage case-related information such as the processing of people in custody and case file management for prosecutions.

The regulator found that for each of these services, the market is relatively concentrated, with NEC and SSS generally being 2 of only 3 suppliers with a large established customer base.

“We all rely on our emergency services, and they rely in turn on essential services such as those provided by these two companies,” said David Stewart, executive director, mergers and markets. “The CMA’s role is to ensure this deal does not undermine competition in this market, so police, fire and ambulance services across the UK have a choice of supplier and can secure the most reliable and innovative services available.”

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