Technology services firm AWA has appointed administrators after 105 years of operation.

The company, originally Australasian Wireless Limited, before changing its name in 1913 to Amalgamated Wireless Australasia, was originally a maker of radios, as well as a radio broadcaster, before expanding into television manufacture and, at times, broadcasting.

AWA is also well known in Sydney for its heritage-listed art-deco head office on York Street which, with its large white radio tower on top, was the tallest building in Australia between 1939 and 1958.

In recent years, the company had moved away from radios and televisions to providing technology services to major businesses and government organisations.

AWA currently has offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Newcastle which employ 250 people, plus a national network of more than 700 service agents.

The administrators from PPB Advisory say their primary aim is to keep the business running as usual while they look to sell it.

"We are currently conducting an urgent review of AWA's business and operations with a view to preparing AWA for sale as a going concern in the short term," said administrator Phil Carter.

"Our priority is to maintain business as usual in order to ensure AWA's blue chip customer base continues to receive the support and service expected from AWA while we work with management and key stakeholders to achieve the best outcome."

Mr Carter told ABC radio's The World Today program that AWA employees should continue to be paid, for now.

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"Everything we are doing is geared toward business as usual - we've certainly spoken to all of the employees they're very supportive, our customers are keen to see the business continue," he said.

"So our role, I'm hoping, is just a baby sitting role in the middle to keep the business running as normally as possible and look for a new owner."

Mr Carter says the business was close to running out of money when administrators were called in.

"The company was either about to become insolvent or already insolvent so, in this case, I think they've acted at a time when it looked like they were shortly to become insolvent," he said.

The administrators say they are already seeking expressions of interest for potential buyers of the business or its assets.