Nuance Endorses VXML Forum and Forthcoming Voice Markup Language Standard

Strategic Insights -

Nuance Communications, the leading provider of speech recognition software for V-Commerce and communications transactions, has endorsed the VXML Forum and its forthcoming VXML specification for building voice applications. The VXML Forum, established by AT&T Corporation, Lucent Technologies, and Motorola, aims to develop a joint mark-up language specification that will enable access to the Internet using any telephone. The initial draft specification is expected to be released for public comment and contribution next month and submitted to the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) later this year.

The VXML specification will be added to the V-Commerce Framework, a set of technologies that will enable the creation of speech applications. The framework's three-tier architecture encompasses open standards like Java and ActiveX to facilitate the integration of speech interfaces with widely used databases and application servers.

Nuance, in conjunction with other members of the V-Commerce Alliance, is working to define a standard set of technologies for speech applications. The company plans to recommend the adoption of the VXML specification to other members of the V-Commerce Alliance.

"Nuance is pleased to offer its endorsement to the VXML Forum and specification," said Steve Ehrlich, vice president of marketing for Nuance Communications. "We expect the standard to speed the adoption of speech recognition in the marketplace."

The VXML specification will make it easier for companies to add natural language speech recognition to existing Web applications. With V-Commerce solutions based on Nuance technology in use at over 20 Global 2000 companies, the standard is expected to accelerate the growth of speech recognition in the marketplace.

Key Takeaways:

  • Nuance Communications has endorsed the VXML Forum and its forthcoming VXML specification for building voice applications.
  • The VXML Forum is a joint initiative of AT&T Corporation, Lucent Technologies, and Motorola to develop a voice markup language standard that enables access to the Internet using any telephone.
  • The VXML specification will be added to the V-Commerce Framework, a set of technologies for creating speech applications.
  • The framework's three-tier architecture encompasses open standards like Java and ActiveX for integrating speech interfaces with widely used databases and application servers.
  • Nuance is working with other members of the V-Commerce Alliance to define a standard set of technologies for speech applications.
  • The company plans to recommend the adoption of the VXML specification to other members of the V-Commerce Alliance.
  • The initial draft specification is expected to be released for public comment and contribution next month and submitted to the W3C later this year.

Statistics:

  • Nuance Communications provides V-Commerce and communications transactions solutions used by over 20 Global 2000 companies.
  • The company's products support multiple languages, including U.S. English, U.K. English, Australian English, German, Japanese, and Latin American Spanish.
  • Nuance's speech recognition technology is used by over one million users per day.
  • The company's sales in 1997 were $29.8 billion.
  • Motorola, a founding member of the VXML Forum, is a global leader in advanced electronic systems and services.

Sources:

  • "Nuance Communications Endorses VXML Forum and Forthcoming Voice Markup Language Standard." PR Newswire. March 9.
  • "About Motorola ICSD." Motorola. 1997.
  • "About Nuance Communications." Nuance Communications.