BUD SYSTEMS LIMITED

Bud Systems

Bud Systems is a robust, end‑to‑end solution designed to support every stage of the learner lifecycle, from programme design, onboarding, learning delivery, assessment and funding. Built to manage complexity, bringing compliance, quality assurance and learner engagement together in a single system that enables efficient operations while meeting regulatory requirements.

Features

• End-to-end management and delivery of apprenticeships and other training programmes
• Programme design, e learning, standard/qualifications mapped to assessment criteria
• Online enrolment, electronic paperwork, initial assessments, LRS integration, digital signatures
• Automated learning plans, E-portfolio, VLE, web-access, mobile access, learner access
• Built in funding calculations with automated funding outcomes
• Real time reporting, workload planning and embedded business intelligence dashboards
• Built in online support with training videos and user guides
• Single Sign On integration with third party systems

Benefits

• Single system for managing and delivering apprenticeships and skills training
• Design and deliver learning programmes and resources in one system
• Fast, compliant eligibility and enrolment through streamlined workflows
• Intuitive initial skills assessment with seamless LRS integration
• Electronic paperwork, digital signatures and funding claims in one place
• Dynamic generated learning plans with fully integrated VLE and portfolio
• Intuitive, engaging platform guiding learners and tracking progress to EPA
• Fully integrated learner, trainer and employer messaging
• Fully integrated learner, trainer and employer messaging
• Interactive real-time reporting and business intelligence dashboards

• Education pricing available

Service documents

• Pricing document

  PDF

• Service definition document

  PDF

• Terms and conditions

  PDF

Request an accessible format

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need versions of these documents in a more accessible format, email the supplier at info@bud.co.uk. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.

Framework

G-Cloud 15

Service ID

423082446389131

Contact

Rhian Old
0117 4400 300
info@bud.co.uk

About your service

• Service categories:

  Applications

  Enterprise resource management

  • Enterprise performance management
• Multi cloud support: No

Service scope

• Software add-on or extension: Yes, but can also be used as a standalone service
• What software services is the service an extension to: Bud is a complete end‑to‑end platform for managing and delivering apprenticeships and skills training. Where transition is needed, or existing systems must be retained, Bud can also operate in a more modular format, working with legacy systems and providing key elements of the overall delivery process.
• Cloud deployment model: Public cloud
• Service constraints: None
• System requirements: None

User support

• Email or online ticketing support: Yes
• Support response times: The Bud Service team categorise support requests relative to the severity of the issue. This categorisation is detailed within the SLA with agreed target response times during business hours. For P1 requests (ie major loss of functionality), for example, the target response time is within 30 minutes, for a P3 issue (ie non-critical) the target is to respond within 4 hours.
• User can manage status and priority of support tickets: Yes
• Online ticketing support accessibility: WCAG 2.2 AA
• Phone support: Yes
• Phone support availability: 9 to 5 (UK time), Monday to Friday
• Web chat support: Yes
• Web chat support availability: 9 to 5 (UK time), Monday to Friday
• Web chat support accessibility standard: WCAG 2.2 A
• Web chat accessibility testing: None
• Onsite support: Yes, at extra cost
• Support levels: Bud services are supported by an in-house Service Desk during business hours. Support tickets can be logged through the integrated Support portal or via email. Each customer is provided a designated Service Agent who can be contacted by the customer's nominated Service Owner by telephone. Further escalation contact numbers are also provided.; ; Issues are managed through ZenDesk Support, which integrates the ITIL framework, automation and service management needed to address customer requests. The Bud Service Team investigates tickets raised, and can escalate to product specialists and development (all based in the same office) to ensure accurate, helpful communications, and speedy issue resolution. Dedicated development resources are assigned to monitor services and assist with issue investigation every day.; ; We provide a self-service Knowledge Centre with key word search functionality to direct users to helpful information to assist with queries.; ; Out of hours and onsite support can be booked in advance, subject to additional costs.
• Support available to third parties: Yes
• AI chatbot: Yes

Onboarding and offboarding

• Getting started: Bud’s implementation approach is tailored to each customer’s scale, context and specific requirements. These elements are discussed and agreed in principle within the Service Agreement, including system setup, training, and any additional services such as consultancy or project management.; We work collaboratively with customers to plan and deliver the implementation detail. This may include in‑person or interactive training workshops and webinars, structured pilot testing and feedback cycles, business process mapping, curriculum consultancy and wider business change support.; Each customer receives a tailored "Welcome to Bud" information pack, including the agreed implementation plan, setup templates and links to resources within our modular online Knowledge Centre—a repository of process guidance, system materials and training videos.
• Service documentation: Yes
• Documentation formats:
  • HTML
  • PDF
• End-of-contract data extraction: Bud maintains a data portability policy that provides machine readable formats for data export in .csv or .json or .xml.
• End-of-contract process: At the end of the contract Bud will provide the ability for (and support for) extraction of key customer-specific data within 60 business days at no cost, prior to customer-specific data being deleted from Bud.; ; If it is requested that Bud archive rather than delete customer-specific data, access can be provided for a fee on an annual basis.; ; Additional support can be agreed according to customer requirements, subject to the rate-card for those additional services.
• Documentation accessibility standard: WCAG 2.2 AA

Using the service

• Web browser interface: Yes
• Supported browsers:
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Firefox
  • Chrome
  • Safari
• Application to install: No
• Designed for use on mobile devices: Yes
• Differences between the mobile and desktop service: Bud uses responsive web design to make our service accessible on mobiles. Bud adopts a mobile first strategy to ensure all features are available via mobile.
• Service interface: Yes
• User support accessibility: WCAG 2.2 AA
• Description of service interface: Bud provides a fully web‑based service interface for learners, trainers, employers and administrators. Users access the platform through a secure, responsive interface that works across desktop, tablet and mobile. The interface provides end‑to‑end workflows including enrolment, initial assessments, learning plans, e‑portfolio, progress tracking, messaging, compliance tasks and reporting dashboards. Navigation is intuitive, with clear prompts guiding users through each process. Single Sign‑On is supported. Bud is developed to meet WCAG 2.2 AA accessibility standards, supporting key accessibility requirements such as assistive‑technology compatibility, keyboard navigation, appropriate contrast and accessible component design, ensuring users can easily manage, deliver and engage with Bud.
• Accessibility standards: WCAG 2.2 AA
• Accessibility testing: Bud has been tested using assistive technology assessment tools and Bud is actively engaging to users of assistive technology
• API: Yes
• What users can and can't do using the API: Bud provides a comprehensive API Portal Integration Suite, enabling customers to build custom integrations with their own systems. The API suite supports a wide range of functionalities, including, application management, financial management, employer management, and learning plan access.; Service accounts can be setup and configured for each integration required.
• API documentation: Yes
• API documentation formats:
  • Open API (also known as Swagger)
  • PDF
• API sandbox or test environment: Yes
• Customisation available: Yes
• Description of customisation: Bud provides the ability to customise in the following areas:; - Feature switching: customers can choose some elements of the service to utilise; - Permissions: there are fine-grained permissions that are customisable for all users of the service; - Programme Design: customers are able to design and create their own programme of learning and learning resources; - Logo: Add you own logo to Bud; - Flexible enrolment questions: customers can add programme or organisation specific questions to capture additional information beyond standard eligibility and compliance requirements.

Scaling

• Independence of resources: Bud uses Microsoft Azure auto-scaling rules to horizontally scale the deployment when high load is placed on the system. This allows us to cope with demand and scale to ensure we provide consistently high-quality service levels to all our clients.

Analytics

• Service usage metrics: Yes
• Metrics types: Bud provides real-time dashboards within the system. These include strategic KPI information, and role-customised dashboards that link into actionable areas of the system.
• Reporting types:
  • Real-time dashboards
  • Reports on request
• Resource tagging: Yes
• FOCUS resource tagging: Yes

Resellers

• Supplier type: Not a reseller

Staff security

• Staff security clearance: Other security clearance
• Government security clearance: Security Clearance (SC)

Asset protection

• Knowledge of data storage and processing locations: Yes
• Data storage and processing locations: United Kingdom
• User control over data storage and processing locations: No
• Datacentre security standards: Complies with a recognised standard (for example CSA CCM version 4.0)
• Penetration testing frequency: At least once a year
• Penetration testing approach: ‘IT Health Check’ performed by a CHECK service provider
• Protecting data at rest:
  • Physical access control, complying with CSA CCM v4.0
  • Encryption of all physical media
• Data sanitisation process: Yes
• Equipment disposal approach: Complying with a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v4.0, CAS (Sanitisation) or ISO/IEC 27001
• Data sanitisation type: Explicit overwriting of storage before reallocation / Secure Erase

Data importing and exporting

• Data export approach: Bud provides an extract in XML format for the ILR funding claim submission to the DfE/DWP hub.; ; Bud also provides export capability for applicant, employer, site, learner and funding information in .csv format. This is managed by Bud's security system so users can only export data that they are authorised to access.
• Data export formats:
  • CSV
  • Other
• Other data export formats: XML
• Data import formats: CSV

Data-in-transit protection

• Data protection between buyer and supplier networks: TLS (version 1.2 or above)
• Data protection within supplier network: TLS (version 1.2 or above)

Availability and resilience

• Guaranteed availability: Bud guarantees at least 99.9% service availability during business hours. Bud provides Service Credits where we fail to deliver minimum availability during a month, proportionate to the monthly fees and discounted from monthly invoicing.
• Approach to resilience: Bud utilises Azure for all production hosting. Globally redundant storage is utilised as standard as well as Bud-managed nightly and weekly backups held in separate Azure storage accounts
• Outage reporting: Email alerts: Bud will email the Outage distribution list of customer contacts, and direct them to our updates dashboard. On the updates dashboard information is posted up to restoration. This is held within our online Knowledge Centre portal, hosted through an external platform that sits outside of Bud IT services.

Identity and authentication

• User authentication needed: Yes
• User authentication:
  • Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
  • Username or password
• Access restrictions in management interfaces and support channels: Just in time approvals, compliant and enrolled devices required, VPN connection required, MFA prompts (zero-trust).
• Access restriction testing frequency: At least every 6 months
• Management access authentication:
  • Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
  • Dedicated link (for example VPN)
  • Username or password

Audit information for users

• Access to user activity audit information: Users have access to real-time audit information
• How long user audit data is stored for: At least 12 months
• Access to supplier activity audit information: You control when users can access audit information
• How long supplier audit data is stored for: At least 12 months
• How long system logs are stored for: At least 12 months

Security governance

• Named board-level person responsible for service security: Yes
• Security governance certified: Yes
• Security governance standards: ISO/IEC 27001
• Information security policies and processes: Bud has a comprehensive set of information security policies and processes. These are owned and managed by IT and governed via IT systems (e.g. Mobile Device Management).
• Software Security Code of Practice: Yes

Operational security

• Configuration and change management standard: Supplier-defined controls
• Configuration and change management approach: Our software services are modularised, and continuously enhanced through a well-defined Change Control process. This is controlled through Product Steering meetings involving internal product development, market and customer specialists.; ; Requested changes are logged for analysis, decisions and prioritisation. This involves engaging internal specialists and customers for feedback. Agreed changes are then Scheduled, Developed, Quality Assured, and Released.; ; We have a fast-track development route to ensure speedy resolution of Emergency & High importance issues, involving subject matter experts from each Product Development function.; ; All code changes are pool-requested and peer-reviewed, which includes reviewing for security performance and architecture conformance.
• Vulnerability management type: Supplier-defined controls
• Vulnerability management approach: Bud utilises advanced threat detection on Azure, all services are managed services patched by Microsoft. All laptops are required to be on a minimum version of operating systems (enforced with Mobile Device Management). Potential threats are assessed at development time, constantly and via penetration testing.
• Protective monitoring type: Supplier-defined controls
• Protective monitoring approach: Bud makes use of Microsoft Azure's advanced auditing and threat detection service. Alerts from the service are automatically raised to the Bud technical team.; ; Suspicious activity is logged in Bud's web application firewall, this is routinely monitored and unusual behavior generates notifications for investigation.
• Incident management type: Complies with a recognised standard, for example, CSA CCM v4.0 or ISO/IEC 27035:2011 or SSAE-18 / ISAE 3402
• Incident management approach: Bud has a Data Breach and Incident Management Policy that defines how incidents are identified, managed, and reported. These processes are supported by Bud’s ISO27001 compliant approach, ensuring structured response, escalation, and communication. Users report incidents through the Bud Support Service Desk, and Bud provides updates directly to affected customers in line with its published legal and data protection obligations.
• Post-quantum cryptography secure: Yes

Secure development

• Approach to secure software development best practice: Independent review of processes (for example CESG CPA Build Standard, ISO/IEC 27034, ISO/IEC 27001 or CSA CCM v4.0)

Public sector networks

• Connection to public sector networks: No

Pricing

• Discount for educational organisations: Yes
• Free trial available: No

Discount percentage by annual call-off contract value (excluding VAT)

• Less than £250,000: 0%
• Between £250,000 and £500,000: 0%
• Between £500,001 and £1,000,000: 0%
• Between £1,000,001 and £2,500,000: 0%
• Between £2,500,001 and £5,000,000: 0%
• Over £5,000,001: 0%

Non-mandatory Standards and certifications

• ISO/IEC 27001 certification: Yes
• Who accredited the ISO/IEC 27001: Tempo Audits Limited
• ISO/IEC 27001 accreditation date: Tuesday 2 September 2025
• What the ISO/IEC 27001 doesn’t cover: Nothing Excluded
• ISO 28000:2022 certification: No
• ISO 9001 certification: No
• Quality management systems (QMS): No
• CSA STAR certification: Yes
• CSA STAR accreditation date: Monday 2 June 2025
• CSA STAR certification level: Level 1: CSA STAR Self-Assessment
• What the CSA STAR doesn’t cover: Nothing Excluded
• PCI certification: No
• Cyber essentials: Yes
• Please provide your Cyber Essentials Certificate Number: 052f1b23-b940-41fc-8afd-3c2eb49926bb
• Cyber essentials plus: Yes
• Please provide your Cyber Essentials Plus Certificate Number: 331b03eb-068c-4868-ae53-435c4f1d88c6
• Other security certifications: No

Social value

• Section B - Commitment for Future: Delivery:

  • Mission: Kick start economic growth. To secure the highest sustained growth in the G7 - with good jobs and productivity growth in every part of the country making everyone, not just a few, better off.

    Policy Outcome 1: Fair work: That offers fair wages and good working conditions. Help people get a job, stay in work, and progress in their careers, with good employment opportunities across the country. Notes: Where there is a large proportion of labour costs in the contract, commercial teams should consider MAC in Outcome 1 as a priority

    • Understanding of in-work progression issues affecting the market, industry or sector relevant to the contract, and in the supplier’s own organisation and those of its key sub-contractors
    • Measures to support in-work progression to help people in the contract workforce, to move into higher paid work by developing new skills relevant to the contract
    • Support for the contract workforce by providing career advice, and providing opportunities for staff working on the contract with in-work progression career development into known skills shortages or high growth areas
    • Support for educational attainment relevant to the contract, including training schemes that address skills gaps and result in recognised qualifications
    • Understanding of the modern slavery risks and issues affecting the market, industry, sector or country (of origin or of source) relevant to the contract, and the workforce in the supplier’s own organisation and those of its key subcontractors
    • Outline policies and practices to be applied to or put in place for the contract to mitigate and manage modern slavery risks, including: Pre-employment checks, recruitment practices. Workplace conditions, safeguarding plans and processes in place and regular monitoring with relevant groups considered, which may include sampling

  • Mission: Kick start economic growth. To secure the highest sustained growth in the G7 - with good jobs and productivity growth in every part of the country making everyone, not just a few, better off.

    Policy Outcome 2: Skills for growth: Supporting growth sectors and addressing skills gaps.

    • Understanding of employment and relevant skills issues, and of the education and training issues relating to the contract. Illustrative examples: demographics, skills shortages, new opportunities in high growth sectors, geographic/local community and skills/employment challenges
    • Support for educational attainment relevant to the contract, including training schemes that address skills gaps and result in recognised qualifications
    • Activities to support relevant sector related skills growth and sustainability in the contract workforce. Illustrative examples: careers talks, curriculum support, literacy support, safety talks and volunteering
    • Delivery of apprenticeships, supported internships and T Level industry placement opportunities (Level 2, 3 and 4+) in relation to the contract

Service documents

• Pricing document

  PDF

• Service definition document

  PDF

• Terms and conditions

  PDF

Request an accessible format

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need versions of these documents in a more accessible format, email the supplier at info@bud.co.uk. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.