Speech Technology eWeekly - March 01, 2003

Q & A

Andy Munarriz, Co-Founder and CEO, VoxSurf

Andy Munarriz is CEO & co-founder of VoxSurf. In a Q&A with the editors of NewsBlast, Andy discusses how legacy voicemail systems can be extended to target new markets, as well as provides some detail on the VoxSurf product offerings.

Gary Schafer, CEO, SIVOX Technologies

Gary Shafer is the CEO of SIVOX. In a Q&A with the editors of NewsBlast, Gary underlines the key componets and benefits of using a simulated training technology like RealCall. He also goes into detail about this particular product and what its implementation can bring to the call center agent.

Nik Philpot, Chief Operating Officer, Eckoh Technologies

In February, Eckoh Technologies and Auctionworld, TV home-shopping specialists, launched Phoneworld, the UK's first 24-hour TV phone shopping channel. Phoneworld uses a speech-recognition fulfillment process. Judith Markowitz speaks with Nik Philpot, Chief Operating Officer of Eckoh about Phoneworld.

Mark Bannon, Vice President of Global Sales & Technical Services, Phonetic Systems; and Tim Walsh, Vice President of Sales, Wildfire Communications

A partnership was recently announced between Phonetic Systems and Wildfire Communications. In a Q&A with the editors of NewsBlast, Mark Bannon, VP of Global Sales and Technical Services, Phonetic Systems and Tim Walsh, VP of Sales, Wildfire Communications, discuss the details and origins of this parntership. They also provide insight into what this could mean for their customers.

Elizabeth Kennedy, Call Center and CRM Industry Analyst, Datamonitor

Elizabeth Kennedy covers the call center and CRM technology markets as an analyst with business advisory firm, Datamonitor. In a Q&A with the editors of NewsBlast, Elizabeth discusses Datamonitor's recent report, "Opportunities in North American Call Centers to 2007," as well as the role of speech technology in these opportunities.

Speech Technology News

Elan Sayso Available in German

TOULOUSE, FRANCE - Elan Speech announces the availability of Elan Sayso in the German language.

iVoice Releases Enhanced Name Dialer Based

MATAWAN, NJ - iVoice Inc. announced the release of the latest version Name Dialer allowing users to make calls via spoken voice by using the telephone in their office or by using their PC microphone.

Metaphor Solutions and VoiceGenie Automate Retail Shopping By Phone

WELLESLEY, MA and TORONTO, CANADA - An automated speech application for ordering flowers by phone was introduced by Metaphor Solutions Inc.

The Blackfoot Telecommunications Group Achieves 58% Automation

ISELIN, NJ - The Blackfoot Telecommunications Group announced that it has achievedan automation rate of 58% for Directory Assistance business andgovernment listings through its implementation of Telelogue's VoiceDirectory Assistance.

Witness Systems Extends Performance Analysis Capabilities with CallMiner Partnership

ATLANTA, GA - Witness Systems announced a strategic alliance with CallMiner Inc., a provider of speech recognition and trending technologies designed for the contact center market.

Orange France Buys SMS-to-Voice Solution

RAMSEY, NJ - Bogen Communications International Inc. announced that the French wireless operator, Orange France, has implemented an SMS-to-Voice Solution delivered by HP Consulting & Integration France jointly with Bogen's Speech Design subsidiary.

iVoice Releases Barge-in Feature with TAPI interface

MATAWAN, N.J. - iVoice, Inc. announced Speech Enabled Auto Attendant with barge-in capabilities using a Telephone Application Program Interface.

Next IVR Delivers Integrated Web Telephone Voice Applications

HAMPTON, NH - Next IVR launched several new products and services focused on integrating telephone and Web technologies.

Loquendo Powers Bertone's Voice Controlled Concept Car

TORINO, ITALY - Loquendo speech technology has been selected by concept car creators, Bertone Group, to power their latest concept sports car, unveiled last week at the Geneva International Motor Show.

VeCommerce, SpeechWorks and Genesys Sign Strategic Alliance

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - VeCommerce Limited has announced it hasentered into an alliance with SpeechWorks International Inc. and GenesysTelecommunications Laboratories Inc.

Vialto Delivers Secure Voice Interface to Microsoft Exchange

Vialto introduced a new release of its E2Go product.

Klett Adopts Babel Speech Recognition Technology

MONS, BELGIUM - Babel Technologies S.A. has announced that Klett Sprachen is to use Babel's Babear v2.5 speaker-independent Automatic Speech Recognition system in it PONS product line.

Witness Systems Launches Cash Offer for Eyretel

Witness Systems has reached an agreement with Eyretel on the terms of a recommended cash offer for all of the shares of Eyretel.

Nuance Announces Latest TTS Software

MENLO PARK, CA - Nuance announced Nuance Vocalizer 3.0, text-to-speech (TTS) software.

SPIRIT Announces Voice + Fax Over IP DSP Software Solution

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - SPIRIT introduces configurable Voice + Fax over IP solution designed to provide core functionality for development of voice-over-packet applications.

COHM Selects LumenVox for Speech Recognition

OTTAWA, ON - Commercial-On-Hold-Marketing Inc. (COHM) announced the selection of LumenVox as their speech recognition provider.

ScanSoft Ships Dragon NaturallySpeaking 7

PEABODY, MA - ScanSoft Inc. announced theavailability of Dragon NaturallySpeaking version 7, a new release of the speech recognition application for Microsoft Windows.

Speech Recognition Reduces Turnaround Times at FirstAssist

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - The legal expenses insurance division of FirstAssist has implemented a desktop speech recognition system from UK-based SRC.

Kirusa and Voice Web Solutions Partner for End-to-End Multimodal Applications Creation and Deployment

NEW ORLEANS, LA - Kirusa and Voice Web Solutions announced integration of Voice Web Solutions' multimodal authoring tool for Macromedia Dreamweaver MXT with Kirusa's multimodal platform, creating a solution to author, test, and deploy mobile multimodal applications.

Ascent Computing Group and Integrated Speech Solutions Deploy Speech with Subway Restaurants

WHITE PLAINS, NY - Ascent Computing Group and Integrated Speech Solutions (ISS) announcedthe implementation of the AscenTel speech recognition software product intoSubway Restaurants' corporate offices.

Lavie Timetech to Incorporate Persay Speaker Verification

TEL-AVIV, ISREAL - Lavie Timetech from TIM Group announced the integration of Persay Speaker Verification system into its telephony based time attendance solutions.

Voice Signal Technologies Joins Symbian Platinum Partner Program

Voice Signal Technologies has joined the Symbian Platinum Partner Program to support the market for Symbian OS advanced mobile phones.

Vicorp and SpeechWorks Enhance Teleglobe's Canada Direct Service

BOSTON, MA and WEXHAM, UK - Using speech recognition technology from SpeechWorks International Inc., Vicorp has completed development of a new suite of calling services for Teleglobe Inc., operator of the Canada Direct service.

OSC to Resell Telelogue's Automated DA Product

ISELIN, NJ - OSC announced that it has incorporated intoits directory assistance (DA) service offering, Telelogue's Voice DirectoryAssistance (VDA).

iVoice Receives Avaya's DeveloperConnection Compliant Award

MATAWAN, NJ - iVoice Inc. announced the completion of compliance testing through the Avaya DeveloperConnection (DevConnect) program.

Broca Networks and Active Hotels Launch Hotel Booking Service

CAMBRIDGE, UK - Broca Networks Limited and Active Hotels have partnered to create a speech-activated hotel booking service, enabling telephone callers to book hotel accommodation throughout Europe over the Internet.

Outsourced Softswitch Service Launched by IPCB.net

SAN MATEO, CA - IPCB.net launches Outsourced Softswitch Service for IP telephony operators and agents.

SpeechWorks Adds New Voices to Speechify

BOSTON, MA - SpeechWorks International Inc. introduced three new languages for its Speechifytext-to-speech software.

The Amanda Company Selects LumenVox Speech Recognition Engine

SAN DIEGO, CA - The Amanda Company announced the selection of LumenVox's Speech Recognition Engine (SRE) as the platform of choice for enhancing voice based applications.

GN Netcom Launches Wireless Headset for Business Professionals

NASHUA, NEW HAMPSHIRE - GN Netcom announced the introduction of the GN 9120. A wireless headset that can be used up to 300 feet from its charging station.

OC3 Entertainment Joins Xbox Tools and Middleware Program

MORRISVILLE, NC - OC3 Entertainment Inc. announced that it has signed an Xbox Tools and Middleware agreement with Microsoft to provide automated lip-synchronization solutions for the Xbox video game system from Microsoft.

SpeechWorks Announces Partnership with OTG

OTTAWA, CANADA - The partnership will allow OTG to deliverSpeechWorks SpeechSecure speaker verification technology withinOTG's telephony-based security and automationsolutions.

Speech Design Delivers SMS-to-Voice to Wireless Operator

RAMSEY, NJ - Bogen Communications International Inc. announced that the French wireless operator, Orange France, has implemented an SMS-to-Voice Solution delivered by HP Consulting & Integration France jointly with Bogen's Speech Design subsidiary.

Elix Enhances City of Montreal's Citizen Services

MONTREAL, QUEBEC - Elix announces that theCity of Montreal has decided to pursue its collaboration with Elix for themanagement of its telephone service: 87-ACCES.

Clarity and Dspfactory Partner

HANOVER, GERMANY - Clarity andDspfactory have teamed up to provide speechextraction technology on an ultra-miniature audio processing platform.

Kirusa and NMS Communications Announces Alliance

NEW ORLEANS, LA - Kirusa and NMS Communications announced the availability of an end-to-end multimodal solution featuring Kirusa's Multimodal Platform integrated with NMS Communication's mobile services delivery platform, NMS HearSay(tm), enabling multimodal mobile applications and services.

BTS Logic To Offers Automated Directory Assistance

COLLEGE PARK, MD - LogicTree Corporation and BTS Solutions have announced the founding of BTS Logic Corporation, a jointly owned company with the mission to deploy automated directory assistance and enhanced service solutions to the U.S. marketplace.

Angel.com Records 1,000th Customer

MCLEAN, VA - Angel.com announced its 1,000th customer - Kikucall Incorporated.

Kelsey Group Sells Pervasive Assets

The Kelsey Group has sold its Pervasive Communications assets to the Zelos Group of San Francisco.

Nuance to Resell ScanSoft RealSpeak in 14 Languages

MENLO PARK, CA - Nuance will continue to offer Nuance Vocalizer TTS for North American, U.K. and Australian English.

Speech Technology Used To Create Brochure Request Service

CAMBRIDGE, UNITED KINGDOM - Broca Networks and Confero formed a partnership to deliver a speech automated Travel Brochure request line for Sky Holidays.

Brooktrout and VoiceGenie Partner to Deliver VoiceXML Speech Technology

HANNOVER, GERMANY - Brooktrout Technology Inc. and VoiceGenie Technologies announced that Brooktrout's TR1000 speech processing platform has been integrated with VoiceGenie's VoiceXML Gateway.

Chronopost International Chooses Elan Sayso

TOULOUSE, FRANCE - Chronopost International has chosen Elan Sayso to speech-enable their new Customer Service Voice Portal.

PIKA Technologies and eurovoice Form Partnership

OTTAWA, CANADA and IPSWICH, UK - eurovoice limited has enhanced their development toolkit, called eurovoice objects, to integrate with PIKA voice cards.

Elan Speech Launches Elan Sayso for Embedded Platforms

HANNOVER, GERMANY - Elan Sayso Embedded technology uses 10-16MB of memory (depending on the language) for a voice sampled at 22kHz.

TI and SPIRIT Announce DSP Solution

HOUSTON, TX - Texas Instruments and SPIRIT-DSP announced the availability of a digital signal processor (DSP)-based solution optimized for remote data collection, as well as applications requiring a telephony co-processor or voiceband processor.

Telex Communications Launches Teleconferencing System

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - Telex Communications Inc. announced the introduction of their new business teleconferencing system, Nexus Platinum.

Home Automated Living Releases 2.0

LAUREL, MD - Home Automated Living delivers new features with the newest release of its software.

Novauris Unveils New Speech Technologies

Novauris has unveiled its first demonstration - a system enabling access to any of a quarter of a billion items, equivalent to all addresses in the US.

iVoice Speech Enables Gold Kist

iVoice installed its Speech Enabled Auto Attendant at the Atlanta headquarters of Gold Kist.

Voice Web Solutions Releases SALT Development Tool

SEATTLE, WA - Voice Web Solutions Inc. announced that they have joined the SALT Forum and released a SALT developer tool called Voice Web Studio.

Clarity Introduces New VP and CTO

TROY, MI - Clarity LLC announced that it has hired Michael Hayes as vice president and chief technology officer. Jim Wargnier has been promoted to executive vice president of engineering operations.

Comverse Establishes Relationship With VoiceObjects

HANNOVER, GERMANY - Comverse announced that it has established a relationship with VoiceObjects AG to make VoiceObjects Factory available on the Comverse Media Server.

Voxware Expands Europe

BRUGES, BELGIUM - Voxware, Inc. (OTC:VOXW) is extending their European presence. Expanding their local customer support in the Benelux, France, Germany and the UK, Voxware purchased a significant equity interest in Voxware n.v. Voxware n.v., headquartered in Bruges, was established in the second half of 2002 when it purchased all the assets of SyVox Europe.

SandCherry Partners With BEA Systems

ORLANDO, FL - SandCherry Inc. announced a partnership with BEA Systems Inc. to offer speech and multimodal capabilities to businesses that already rely on BEA WebLogic Server and BEA WebLogic Portal.

Avaya Extends Contract With Gold Systems to OEM Vonetix

BOULDER, CO - Gold Systems announced an addendum to their contract with Avaya to ship Vonetix 3.5 standard on the recently announced Avaya Interactive Response platform.

Voxware Announces New Customer Wins

PRINCETON, NJ - Voxware Inc. announces new contracts in several European countries.

Mashreqbank Launches Voice Recognition Banking

DUBAI, UAE - Available now on the Mashreqbank's toll-free phone number 800-4010, callers can opt for either conventional telebanking by keying in numbers on their phone, or voice commands that enables them to access the same services by speaking.

Flarion and Kirusa Demonstrate Integrated Broadband Wireless Multimodal Solution

NEW ORLEANS, LA - Kirusa and Flarion announced a series of joint alliance agreements and demonstrated an end-to-end multimodal solution.

Rhetorical Systems, Digital Animations Groups and Emblaze Join Forces

BOSTON, MA, SCOTLAND and FRANCE - Digital Animations Group and Rhetorical have announced an application partnership with Emblaze Systems.

Jacent Technologies Announces OrderStream for Domino's Pizza

SANTA CLARA, CA - Jacent Technologies Inc. announced the launch of its first product, OrderStream for Domino's Pizza.

SVOX and Code Factory announce partnership

ZÜRICH, SWITZERLAND - SVOX AG and Code Factory announced that they have teamed up in order to co-develop and co-market speech solutions for the use in next generation mobile communication devices.

Vocomo Announces Availability of Vocomo Voice Response

CUPERTINO, CA - Vocomo Software Corporation announces general availability of Vocomo Voice Response, a turnkey IVR appliance with speech capabilities.