OpenMethods Contributes Graphical Tool for Building Voice Applications
NEW YORK - OpenMethods is contributing intellectual property to the Eclipse Voice Tools Project. The contribution of OpenMethods' openVXML graphical tooling suite will support the advancement and availability of speech-enabled applications by enabling developers and business users to build voice applications and add speech capabilities.
OpenMethods is contributing two components of its openVXML application development suite in one integrated environment. The application designer component provides a graphical, "drag-and-drop" voice service creation environment. openVXML also includes mechanisms for media resource and project management, along with a set of dialog components that can be used to construct voice applications. The runtime service environment is a server-side component that produces VoiceXML code, enabling back-end integration to enterprise systems (e.g. SCM, CRM, etc.), across a range of application server infrastructure choices. Developed for the Eclipse platform, the software is designed to enable non-technical business analysts to design, develop, test and deploy voice application services.
"Simplifying voice application development and providing easier access to intuitive development tools is critical to the growth of the overall speech market," said Judith Markowitz, president, J. Markowitz Consultants. "OpenMethods' contribution to the Eclipse Voice Tools Project offers an invaluable means and opportunity for enterprises to move beyond DTMF - to develop innovative applications using speech."
"Open industry standards are critical to the success of the speech industry," said Ken Rehor, chair of the VoiceXML Forum. "VoiceXML has become the dominant standard in enabling speech interaction across a diverse set of applications, industries and end-users. The Forum applauds OpenMethods' decision to contribute its openVXML development suite to the Eclipse Voice Tools Project and looks forward to continuing its work alongside Eclipse and the W3C to promote VoiceXML as the technology standard essential to making Internet content and information accessible via voice and phone."