Dialogic introduces new technology to advance speech-based Web access

Siltek Telecoms has announced that Dialogic is adding continuous speech processing firmware technology to its family of voice processing products. The products already support speech-based Web access, and developers will now be able to build speech recognition applications such as Internet voice portals at a lower cost, using a single-board solution.

Michael Aitken, MD of Siltek Telecoms, (local distributor of Dialogic products) reports that the continuous speech processing provides the constant echo cancellation and speech detection necessary to build complex speech recognition applications for the telephone. "By offering this technology as an integrated feature on its voice processing platforms, Dialogic is unique in reducing host-based workload without requiring additional hardware. The enhanced technology also enables applications to recognise voice commands more accurately, making them easier to use and increasing customer satisfaction," continues Aitken.

Aitken explains that continuous speech processing enables e-business to provide "voice portals" or voice-based Web browser capabilities so that customers can have instant access to the Internet using the phone. "Companies such as BellSouth, Quack.com and Webversant are already deploying Dialogic technology to provide speech-based Web access over the phone," he says.

Being an Intel subsidiary, Dialogic has built on previous Intel technology and has broken new ground for companies such as Quack.com in terms of providing solutions for voice-access to Internet-based information.

"Fuelled by Intel's new low cost technology, we expect to see businesses adopt speech access at a rapid pace to enlarge their current on-line strategies," says CEO of Quack.com, Alex Quilici.

"Internet speech recognition for e-commerce is a prime example of how the Internet and telecommunications are converging," continues Aitken, "Speech is the most natural, mobile and ubiquitous user interface, adding speech capabilities to the Internet has the potential for significant growth opportunities."

"Furthermore, the advent of automated speech recognition user interfaces will enable the 1.5 billion users of phones, cell phones and web phones to make business transactions on the Internet. Internet speech is stimulating a new wave of application innovation that is likely to eventually offer a completely new range of business and consumer services,' adds Aitken.

Intel and Dialogic's unique Internet speech-enabling technology is able to support the sophisticated speech recognition algorithm requirements for leading speech technology developers. This is achieved through Dialogic's voice and data integration products and Intel Architecture computing systems.

"Businesses and service providers will now be able to economically deliver telephony-based speech recognition applications on scalable Internet-based platforms that offer automated speech recognition from leading speech technology providers," concludes Aitken.