Microsoft Speech Technologies Releases Speech Server Beta, Offers New Program to Partners

Click here for a copy a special report by Dan Miller of the Zelos Group concerning the July 9 Microsoft announcement By Dave Kaplan, Speech Technology Magazine REDMOND, WA - Microsoft Corp. announced the first public beta release of Microsoft Speech Server, a Windows Server System and the beta 3 release of the Speech Application Software Development Kit (SASDK). In addition, Microsoft established several new resources to engage enterprises looking to adopt Microsoft's Speech Application Language Tags (SALT)-based speech offerings. The resources include the Microsoft Speech Server Beta Program; an Early Adopter Program (EAP); and specialized training courses on Speech Server, the SASDK and voice user interface (VUI) and speech application design. Microsoft also introduced the Microsoft Speech Partner Program. "Speech technology is on the cusp of reaching its full potential, and we are committed to bringing it to the mainstream," said Kai-Fu Lee, corporate vice president of the Speech Technologies group at Microsoft. Additionally, a Speech Partner Program (SPP), designed to provide additional revenue and profit opportunities for new and existing partners interested in developing, deploying and reselling enterprise-grade speech technology solutions based on Microsoft® technologies, was introduced. Through the new program, Microsoft Speech partners provide large and medium-sized enterprise customers with product and service offerings based on the Microsoft Speech Server. The Microsoft Speech Server, the most recent addition to the Windows Server System family, is designed to enable the delivery of enterprise-grade, mission-critical speech technology solutions for both telephony (voice-only) and multimodal (speech and visual) applications. The Microsoft Speech Partner Program will be directed to companies such as telephony value-added resellers and distributors, systems integrators, Web developers, independent software vendors, Microsoft Certified Partners and others that seek to build or deploy new speech-enabled applications and systems or extend existing applications with speech functionality. "Intel is working closely with Microsoft to lower the entry barriers to speech technology by providing open, modular communications building blocks," said Tim Moynihan, director of product marketing for the Network Building Block Division at Intel Corp. "This will enable the Microsoft ecosystem members to accelerate development time and rapid deployment of speech solutions based on the Microsoft Speech Server." "Microsoft's entry into the telephony-based speech market is further verification of the opportunity for voice," said Chuck Berger, president and CEO, Nuance. "They have recognized what we have seen since our founding 10 years ago - voice is the most natural way to automate interactions. Microsoft's timing is also a validation of our own thoughts that the market is at the point of much wider adoption. As the recognized market share leader, Nuance plans to continue to invest in this market." Participating Microsoft partners need to complete three in-depth training courses to help companies build the skills necessary to support enterprise-grade solutions. These courses include Speech Applications: Planning, VUI Design and Maintenance; Developing Speech-Enabled Web Applications Using the Microsoft Speech Application Software Development Kit (SDK); and Deploying and Administering Microsoft Speech Server. "SpeechWorks is committed to realizing our shared vision with Microsoft: to help drive telephony and multimodal speech applications into the mainstream," said Steve Chambers, chief marketing officer at SpeechWorks International Inc. "As an active partner in Microsoft's Speech Partner Program we expect to apply our field-proven, high-performance speech technologies and unmatched professional services experience in application design and deployment to more customers than ever before, with applications on the Microsoft Speech Server that ensure customers achieve outstanding financial results and high caller satisfaction." According to Microsoft more than 40 companies have already signed up for the program including Ateb Inc., Cadre Technologies, CYGCOM Integrated Technologies Inc., Enterprise Integration Group Inc., Envox Worldwide, Digital GlobalSoft Ltd., First Data Voice Services, Fujitsu Consulting, Gold Systems Inc., GM Voices Inc., HP, HTI Voice Solutions Inc., Intel, Intervoice, Newfound Communications Inc., NextiraOne, Paracon, Pronexus Inc., Redmond Software, Scansoft Inc., TARGUSinfo, SpeechWorks, TaTa Consulting Services, Vail Systems Inc., Vialto Corp., Vocalocity Inc. and Voice Architects Inc. "Intervoice is excited to be a participant in the Microsoft SPP," said George Platt, senior vice president of Business Development and Marketing for Intervoice Inc. "Intervoice has worked closely with Microsoft to develop a Telephony Interface Manager (TIM), which is integrated with the Microsoft Speech Server. As part of the Omvia product framework, the TIM is now available to solutions integrators and independent software vendors deploying the Microsoft Speech Server platform. SI and ISV developers can further enhance their ability to deploy successful speech applications on the Microsoft Speech Server through the use of a comprehensive set of applications, components, grammars and training courses also available from Intervoice that are built on our 20 years of experience in world-class speech application development and system integration. We are pleased to be able to partner with Microsoft to help realize our common goal of making speech mainstream."