Ness Technologies Wins $5 Million Contract With Strauss-Elite to Establish SAP-Based ERP System
HACKENSACK, New Jersey, November 23, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Ness Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: NSTC), a global provider of IT solutions and services, today announced that it has been awarded a contract by Strauss-Elite, one of Israel's largest food manufacturers, to establish a comprehensive SAP-based enterprise-wide ERP system. The project is estimated to be worth a total of approximately $5 million over two years.
Strauss-Elite was formed in 2004 through the merger of Elite Industries and Strauss Dairies. The new SAP-based unified system will replace the existing separate SAP ERP systems. The new system will serve approximately 1,500 people.
Deloitte's consulting services will serve as a subcontractor to Ness Technologies and will provide the necessary knowledge, based on Deloitte's experience in merging IT systems and processes in the food industry.
The new IT system, which will be jointly implemented by Strauss-Elite and Ness Technologies, will be based on mySAP Business Suite - the world's most comprehensive family of adaptive business solutions, providing best-of-breed functionality, complete integration, industry-specific capabilities, unlimited scalability, and easy collaboration over the Internet. The project includes the implementation and integration of the system.
"The new project represents an important milestone in the merger of Strauss and Elite, which began in March 2004, reflecting our vision to create one company with unified processes," said Giora Bar-Dea, CEO of Strauss-Elite. "The new project is a further step in our outstanding cooperation and value added partnership with Ness Technologies, which has proved to be a top-level IT solutions and services provider."
"Strauss and Elite were among the pioneers in the implementation of SAP Solutions in Israel," said Raviv Zoller, President and CEO of Ness Technologies. "The new SAP-based system will enable the merged company to use the same tools and speak the same language. In addition, it will streamline supply chain, sales, procurement and collection processes, as well as customer support."
"Deloitte has developed a solution for the food and beverage industry in cooperation with SAP, with an investment of $40 million," said Michal Simler, Partner, Head of Management Consulting Services, Deloitte-Israel. "Deloitte brings to the project's its accrued worldwide knowledge and experience in systems unification and master data management. During the project, the suitability of Deloitte's solution will be evaluated according to the project's needs."
Elite and Strauss implemented an enterprise-wide SAP ERP system in Strauss in 1998. In 2004 the two companies merged into one large enterprise and decided to consolidate their information systems and to implement mySAP Business Suite which will encompass the entire business and operational processes at Strauss-Elite.
About Strauss-Elite
A publicly-traded family-owned company, Strauss-Elite possess many of Israel's best-loved food brands. These include dairy products, coffee, confectionery, ice cream, salads, salty snacks, baked goods and more, which are available in practically every point of sale in Israel. Building on its 70-year legacy, Strauss-Elite follows its founders' tradition, vision and values, in terms of contributing to the community, in order to make a genuine difference in Israeli society. The company operates in 11 countries and is fast becoming a significant roast & ground coffee player in the international arena. Strauss-Elite distributes some of its chilled products through Sabra, its US-based company and the third-largest Mediterranean dip producer and distributor in the United States. For more information about Strauss-Elite, visit www.strauss-elite.co.il
About Ness Technologies Ness Technologies (NASDAQ: NSTC) is a global provider of end-to-end IT services and solutions designed to help clients improve competitiveness and efficiency. Specializing in outsourcing and offshore, systems integration and application development, software and consulting, and quality assurance and training, Ness serves a blue-chip client base of over 500 public- and private-sector customers. With over 5,700 employees, Ness maintains operations in 15 countries across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific, and more than 100 alliances and partnerships around the world. For more information about Ness, visit www.ness.com.
