The Software Partnership – PROject Templates

The software known as sp/ARCHITECT (specifically the sp/ARCHITECT-BANK module) has a timeline tied to its development in Runcorn, Cheshire, by a firm originally called The Software Partnership.

Company & Product Timeline

Mid-1980s: The Software Partnership is co-founded by Nigel Walsh.
1989: The company begins significant operations in Runcorn, initially at Wingate Drive (Timperley) and later moving to Norton House in Crowngate.
1990–1994: Development period for sp/ARCHITECT in Runcorn. The software was a banking system used by major institutions including TSB, Bank of Scotland, and Rabobank.
1992: The firm relocates its Runcorn base to Wingate House on Northway.
1994: The Software Partnership is acquired by the American company Deluxe Electronic Payment Systems (a division of Deluxe Corporation).
Post-1994: Following the acquisition, the entity operated as Deluxe Data International Operations.
Later Transitions: The lineage of the Runcorn operations eventually merged into larger fintech entities, including eFunds, EFD, and ultimately FIS.

sp/ARCHITECT-BANK module – development in Runcorn, Cheshire by The Software Partnership

TSP / Deluxe Data : 1990 – 1995

The Software Partnership (TSP) was a Runcorn-based software house co-founded by Nigel Walsh in the mid-1980s. Specialising in on-line banking systems for Tandem and UNIX platforms, the company underwent several acquisitions that integrated its technology into global financial services.

Corporate Timeline

Mid-1980s: Founded as The Software Partnership.
1990: Initial operations were based at Wingate Drive in Timperley before moving to Norton House in Crowngate, Runcorn.
1992: Relocated to Wingate House on Northway, Runcorn.
1994: Acquired by the American firm Deluxe Electronic Payment Systems (a subsidiary of Deluxe Corporation).
2000: The company transitioned to EFD eFunds.
2007: Became part of Fidelity National Information Services (FIS), eventually moving operations to Daresbury Park in Warrington.

Key Products

The company’s primary legacy is the development of sp/ARCHITECT-BANK, a software suite designed for secure card management and electronic transaction processing. This technology became a foundational component for the secure payment systems later managed by Deluxe Data and FIS.