Speech Technologies, Occidental Communications

Speech Technology
Four speech technologies are included on this page: speech recognition, text to speech, voice authentication and VoiceXML software.

This directory is of developers of these four speech technologies. In contrast to other Internet sites that purport to be directories of speech recognition software, text to speech software, etc., this directory does not include any integrators, consultants, conference organisers, magazines, distributors or providers of products related to these speech technologies. Every one of the companies listed has developed the speech technology product listed, or distribute it - they are not integrators or incorporators of speech recognition software developed by others. IVR providers that incorporate one or more of these speech technologies are listed in the IVR directory, and even if they do lots and lots and lots of work with speech recognition and eschew any reference to IVR, that is where such providers belong and where they'll be found.

Speech Recognition (SR)
Although it has other applications, speech recognition potentially provides a far more powerful interface to an IVR application than the telephone keypad. But it comes at a significant cost. The primary market model involves developers of speech recognition software selling it to the developers of IVR systems who incorporate it, as well as text-to-speech software, into their products.

Consulting Projects Involving Speech Recognition
Occidental Communications has undertaken a few assignments advising clients on the potential for speech recognition and text-to-speech technologies. One project has involved analysing a client's call types and preparing a specification of an IVR system including speech recognition including the entire menu which went to tender. For more details, see the Speech Technology Consulting page.

Vendor Directory - Speech Recognition Software

Connected Word Recognition v2 from Aculab Australia
Aculab develops SR software for its telephony circuit cards which it sells for use in IVR systems

DirectTalk Speech Recognition from IBM
IBM’s speech recognition software is implemented both in its ViaVoice dictation products and its WebSphere Voice Response IVR systems

Speech(fx) from Kaz Group
The Kaz Group develops SR software for IVR systems

ListenDo! and MacSpeech Dictate from MacSpeech, distributed by MacSense
MacSpeech develops SR software for dictation and command and control capabilities for PCs using the Apple operating system.

Nuance V8.5 from Nuance Communications

OpenSpeech Recogniser from Nuance
Nuance develops SR software for IVR systems

Naturally Speaking from Nuance, distributed in Australia by Voice Perfect Systems
Dictation software

International SR Directory
This site also contains an International Directory of developers of speech recognition technology.

Text-to-Speech (TTS)
All IVR system play audio prompts and responses to callers, and they do this using one or both of two methods. One is to record what is to be said using a human voice and the other is to use a text-to-speech engine. There are number of companies around the world that have developed text-to-speech software, some of which have representation in the Australian market.

Vendor Directory - Text-to-Speech Software

Text-To-Speech v2 from Aculab Australia
Text-to-speech software with a British accent for its telephony circuit cards which Aculab sells for use in IVR systems.

FAAST TTS 5.2 from Fonix, distributed in Australia by Stratum Communications
Text-to-speech software with an American or British accent designed for implementation in IVR systems.

IBM WebSphere Voice Server from IBM
Text-to-speech software with a British or an American accent designed for implementation in telephony-based systems.

Nuance Realspeak from Nuance Communications
Text-to-speech software with an Australian accent designed for implementation in IVR systems.

International TTS Directory
This site also contains an International Directory of developers of text-to-speech technology.

Voice Authentication (VA)
Voice authentication is an emerging technology able to be deployed in a number of applications, including identifying callers to a call centre. There are number of companies around the world that have developed voice authentication software, some of which have representation in the Australian market.

Vendor Directory - Voice Authentication Software

Speech(fx) from Kaz Group
Voice authentication-enabled speech recognition software for IVR applications.

Nuance Verifier from Nuance Communications

SpeechSecure from Nuance Communications
Voice authentication software for telephony applications.

RSA Adaptive Authentication for Phone from RSA Security
Voice authentication software for IVR systems and other call centre applications.

International VA Directory
This site also contains an International Directory of developers of voice authentication technology.

VoiceXML Software
VoiceXML is a standard for the coding of IVR applications. Although usually associated with the deployment of speech recognition applications, VoiceXML can also be used for DTMF-only IVR applications. With its advent, a number of companies have developed VoiceXML software which is able to be deployed by developers of IVR systems as well as by developers of other applications of speech recognition technology. Some of these companies have representation in the Australian market.

Vendor Directory - VoiceXML Software

Conversational Voice Response (CVR) from TuVox
VoiceXML software which an IVR developer integrates with the hardware, operating system and speech recognition software vendor of their choosing.

International VoiceXML Directory
This site also contains an International Directory of developers of VoiceXML software.

Vendor Directory - Miscellaneous Speech Technology

Appen
Appen develops dictionaries for TTS software.

International Miscellaneous Speech Technology Directory
This site also contains an International Directory of developers of miscellaneous speech technology.

Articles and Papers on Speech Technology

Speech Recognition Overview e-Access February, 2001

Speech Recognition - Developing the User Interface presented to the IBC Conference Voice 2001 August 2001

Speech Recognition vs DTMF eAccess November 2001

Speech Recognition Xephon [UK] November 2001

Raising the Bar of User Interface Design presented to the IBC Conference Voice 2002 March 2002

Speech Recognition: Separating the Application from the Machine Infinity Quarterly, June 2002

Disclaimer
Note that this site is not sponsored. Vendors are included because they develop and/or distribute products in Australia and/or New Zealand which fall within the specified categories. Many of the vendors listed herein also have other products. Vendors seeking inclusion click here.

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