Fisheries and Oceans Canada Selects SpeechWorks

BOSTON, MA - SpeechWorks International Inc. (Nasdaq: SPWX), a developer of speech recognition and TTS technologies and services, announced that Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has selected SpeechWorks to build a speech-enabled application for it's "Hail Out" service. Partnering with MTTI - a full-service computer telephony provider - the SpeechWorks solution will allow Canadian fisherman to report trip departure dates and times for monitoring and security by the Federal Government of Canada. The SpeechWorks powered solution is scheduled to go live in the Maritimes Region in early 2003. Nationwide implementation could follow. The speech system will handle hail-out calls, from the license holder, and will prompt for and record the Fisher Identification Number, Vessel Registration Number, time, date and port of departure, species and area to be fished, up to three contact telephone numbers, estimated date of landing and the time and date of the call. Traditionally, an industry-sponsored dockside monitoring company handles these calls. With this speech application, the DFO will be able to offer fishermen a more efficient method of recording this vital information, while simultaneously compiling more accurate and timely data on fishing activity, all at a lower cost. "The fishing industry is a major tenant of the Canadian economy and having timely, accurate information on fishing activity and vessel movements helps us to more effectively monitor the public resource," said David Balfour, director-general of program planning and co-ordination for fisheries management at DFO. "Having SpeechWorks' cutting -edge speech technology incorporated into our 'Hail Out" system provides us with a more efficient method of capturing the data reported by fishermen, while making it more convenient for them to comply with government regulations." "Fisheries and Oceans Canada is the lead federal government department responsible for developing and implementing policies and programs in support of Canada's oceans and inland waters," said Steve Chambers, chief marketing officer, SpeechWorks. "This unique application truly demonstrates how the federal government of Canada is using innovative technology to impact the environmental and economic issues of the day."