Information services provider Automated Systems Holdings says it is now authorised to provide system development and maintenance services to the SAR's government departments under the Information Technology Professional Services Arrangement (ITPSA). The ITPSA award, which is part of the government's IT outsourcing strategy to encourage growth in the industry, will mean Automated Systems can provide services to departments for the next 30 months, with the contract extendable for another 18 months thereafter. The value of the ITPSA contract is estimated at HK$415 million. Automated Systems' managing director Lai Yam-ting said this was the second large-scale IT government outsourcing contract the company had been awarded this year. 'We believe the consecutive award of service contracts will bring substantial financial benefits to the company in the long run,' he said.