Israel's Ministry of Immigrant Absorption has signed a five-year, 42 million Israeli shekel (approximately $11.2 million) outsourcing contract with Ness Technologies.

The contract includes an option of an extension of up to an additional five years.

As part of the agreement, Ness Technologies will operate and maintain the ministry's IT systems 24/7, including applications, infrastructure systems, communications, and workstations. In addition, Ness Technologies will upgrade the ministry's helpdesk.

Sigal Lebovich, manager of the Information Systems Department of the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption, commented: "Ness will assist us to leverage our IT resources and further develop our ICT systems to streamline the immigrant absorption processes. We will continue to improve service to immigrants based on these advanced IT systems."

The ministry's Information Systems Division is responsible for the operation of ICT systems for immigrant absorption, including registration of immigrants, management of assistance resources such as public housing, financial assistance and customs tax grants. The division supports 600 users at 40 sites nationwide, and operates two IT facilities - one in Jerusalem and another at Ben-Gurion International Airport.