A PERTH-based technology business has signed a deal with East Ayrshire Council that will see its software used in primary, secondary and nursery schools across the local authority area.

Apps Central, which was founded with £1 million of private funding in 2014, provides a tailorable news-feed app that shares information with parents such news on school events or changes to transport or timetable arrangements.

Though the app is already used in local authority areas across the country, this is the first time it will be used in every school in a single council area.

Its highest penetration rate until now has been in Dundee, where 60 per cent of schools use it. It also used by 59% of schools in Falkirk, 58% in Stirling and 55% in South Lanarkshire.

Company founder and chief executive Mick Empson said the partnership had provided a “great boost” to the business that would help it achieve its target of being used in 750 schools by the end of this year.

The app has been developed in partnership with Stirling-based Vidatec, a technology business that started out as Dogfish Mobile but rebranded after being bought out by Dundee-based Insights Group last year.

Among the products Vidatec has created for its own clients is an app that uses data to help level

crossing managers assess, manage and control risk and one that allows visitors to the Legoland Windsor themepark to plan their visit around their personal preferences.

In addition to its core app, Apps Central also provides school websites and a web-based parents evening booking system.