ScanSoft, Inc. (Nasdaq: SSFT), the leading supplier of speech and
imaging solutions, today announced a partnership with Hosted TelephonySolutions Ltd. (HTS), to develop a speech-enabled Directory Assistance (DA)
application powered by SpeechWorks(R) solutions from ScanSoft. The
fully-automated DA service will utilize the company's SpeechPearl(TM) speech
recognition software and unique FindIt(TM) search technology developed specifically
for the processing of automated DA calls.
At the end of 2001, Oftel, the UK regulator for the telecommunications
industry, announced plans to replace the existing national (192) and
international (153) directory assistance with 118 directory assistance
services, also known as directory inquiries (DQ) services to give consumers a
choice of DA service providers no matter what network they use. This
deregulation will lead to the introduction of a range of new services, such as
call completion facilities where the operator can connect people directly to
the listing they have requested, or services in a range of languages for
immigrants and visitors.
First Fully-Automated DA Solution for the UK
The ScanSoft solution will underpin national and corporate automated DA
services, as well as enhance voice delivered information services across the UK
and other European countries. The solution will enable the first fully
speech-enabled DA service in the UK, covering the entire UK residential and
business database, and will be a breakthrough in highly scalable, carrier
grade, hosted speech services. Zelos Group expects fully-automated DA to grow
from its present status of handling less than 5 percent of outsourced DA calls,
to as much as 30 percent by the end of 2008.
"After thoroughly testing a wide range of speech technologies,
ScanSoft Directory Assistance solutions proved to be the most efficient when
scaling the volume of users accessing the system," said Adrian Clarke,
CTO, Hosted Telephony Systems. "Today's directory service providers are
under constant pressure to increase revenue and improve the quality and depth
of their data - but also reduce the cost burden. Our automated DQ Service will
create incremental revenue opportunities for the directory assistance providers
by driving call frequency, and adding incremental revenues from services such
as call completion and SMS delivery. At the same time via our automated DQ
Service we are able to help them reduce costs."
The solution will provide 118 operators with a completely hosted DA
service, while removing the need for capital investment and costly time
management. HTS's carrier grade telephony platform is hosted in a dedicated UK
data center. When the speech based service is launched by HTS in the next six
months, it will be configurable to support both fully-automated calls and
automated call handling with human back up. By using HTS' service, 118
operators will be able to concentrate on marketing while HTS provides and
manages all the operating systems necessary for a DA service.
"The current UK DQ deregulation means that many new entrants are
driving down the pricing of basic services," said Peter Hauser, senior
vice president and general manager of International at ScanSoft. "The
speech-enabled service will assist telecom service providers in offering a
high-quality service that reduces costs through accurate, easy-to-use automated
services and improves operator productivity through the innovative use of
speech and database technologies."
ScanSoft is the world leader in speech-enabled directory assistance
applications, helping its customers to reduce costs and increase efficiency
without compromising service quality. In October 2003, ScanSoft announced that
it is developing SpeechPAKs 1.0 for Directory Assistance, standards-based,
packaged application kits for fully-automated directory assistance services.
Its SpeechWorks technologies power fully-automated DA solutions for service
providers around the world including a leading service provider in Belgium,
Eniro Autosvar (Sweden), Japan Multimedia Service, Portugal Telecom, SNT
(Netherlands), TDC, (Denmark), Telefonica de Argentina and Voice Data Bridge
(Netherlands).
About Hosted Telephony Solutions Ltd.
Hosted Telephony Solutions Ltd (HTS) specializes in carrier grade hosted
telephony solutions for National and Corporate Directory Inquiry services. Its
unique technology and content partnerships enables it to be a leader and
innovator in this field. HTS commercial approach is a first in the field of directory
assistance, allowing them to operate a pure revenue share business to underpin
the Directory Assistance Service Offering and offer revenue building add on
features. For more information regarding Hosted Telephony System's products and
technologies, please visit http://www.hostedtelephony.com.
About ScanSoft(R) Network Speech Solutions
ScanSoft Network Speech Solutions is the global leader in advanced
network speech technologies and professional services. Enterprise and
telecommunications organizations around the world such as Aetna, Deutsche Bank
and Qantas Airways leverage the power and innovation of the SpeechWorks Suite
of Network Speech Solutions to redefine the way they exchange vital information
with customers and employees over the telephone. With a global sales and
engineering presence, ScanSoft is uniquely positioned to help companies create
and implement sophisticated speech solutions that deliver proven economic
benefits and the highest levels of caller satisfaction. For more information, visit
http://www.scansoft.com/network/.
About ScanSoft, Inc.
ScanSoft, Inc. (Nasdaq: SSFT) is the leading supplier of speech and
imaging solutions that are used to automate a wide range of manual processes -
saving time, increasing worker productivity and improving customer service. For
more information regarding ScanSoft products and technologies, please visit
www.ScanSoft.com.
ScanSoft, ScanSoft logo and FindIt are registered trademarks or
trademarks of ScanSoft, Inc. in the United States and other countries.
SpeechWorks and OpenSpeech are registered trademarks or trademarks of
SpeechWorks International, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All
other company or product names may be the trademarks of their respective
owners.
The
statements in this press release that relate to future plans, events or
performance are forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties, including risks associated with market trends, competitive
factors, and other risks identified in ScanSoft's SEC filings. Actual results,
events and performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to put
undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the
date hereof.
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