CEO of Matrix receives a special prize for integrating IT technology and social advancement at the Talpiot development center. (October 12, 2005)

At the IT Awards convention – the annual competition held among Israel 's computerization projects and arranged by the People and Computers Group, CEO of Matrix, Mr. Motti Gutman, received a special prize for integrating IT technologies and social advancement at Matrix's Talpiot enterprise that employs orthodox women and supplies development and software services.

The Talpiot development center is a success story, both financially and in terms of its contribution to the Israeli economy. Today, the Talpiot division has 150 employees, the majority of which are orthodox women. The Talpiot development center's main goal is to integrate quality labor from among the orthodox sector, currently not a part of the working force, into the software development field, and thus deal with the shortage of technical workers along with the threat of software project leakage to Eastern Asia and Eastern Europe.

According to CEO of Matrix, Mr. Motti Gutman, “the orthodox sector in general, and the women of this sector in particular, suffer from severe employment hardship, especially in areas with high unemployment rates such as Kiriat Sefer, Modi'in Elite, Beitar Elite, Emanuel and many other towns. Many are extremely intelligent and have graduated from teaching and technology programs, but due to the lack of employment alternatives in their towns, such that supply an organizational and cultural environment supportive of the social norms and special needs of the orthodox community, along with the household obligations and housekeeping a family of many children, the women took other jobs that are well beneath their qualifications and training”.

The Talpiot enterprise is highly esteemed within both the orthodox and high tech communities and is very successful in bridging the social gaps between the orthodox and secular sectors. The Talpiot model serves as proof that “it can be done if done properly”. The enterprise enjoys great demand among companies whish are considering copying their project centers to India , China or to Eastern Europe . The social aspect is another component that encourages them to remain in Israel.

Mr. Gutman indicated that there is a great demand for transferring jobs and projects to the development center. “Today we are already supplying development services for companies from Israel and from around the world in the banking, telecommunication and industrial fields. High tech companies are seriously considering executing their development activity here and examining Talpiot as a real alternative to the East”.