Matrix Wins Large Finance Ministry Contract – outbids EDS and Ness - development in .NET and Visual Studio 2005 to be done by Orthodox Talpiot division (October 10, 2006)

Matrix has been selected by the Israeli Ministry of Finance to make government forms available online. The project will enable citizens to fill out forms on the web without having to visit government offices in person. The Talpiot division of Matrix, which employs hundreds of ultra-Orthodox women in two R&D centers (both located close to the road that connect Tel-Aviv with Jerusalem ), will develop the project. The system will be part of the Tehilla project (Government Infrastructures for the Internet Age) and will cost around NIS 2 million, spread over two years, with the option of further expansion and enlargement.

The form filling system will improve the quality of life for residents and enable them to submit a variety of forms online, including change of address, passport renewals and applications for tax reimbursement. Development of the system will be based on Microsoft .NET and Visual Studio 2005. Matrix won the contract over competing bids from Ness , EDS, and others.

The initial stage of the project will involve 20 developers, with the number likely to increase as the project advances. The Talpiot programmers will undergo special training by Tehilla staff, which will teach them how to create the specialized forms.