VeCommerce, SpeechWorks and Genesys Sign Strategic Alliance

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - VeCommerce Limited (ASX:VCM), a developer of natural language speech recognition (NLSR) speech authentication and voice enabled e-commerce solutions, has announced it has entered into an alliance with SpeechWorks International Inc. (Nasdaq: SPWX), a developer of speech technologies and services, and Genesys Telecommunications Laboratories Inc., a subsidiary of Alcatel (NYSE: ALA, Paris: CGEP.PA). "This initiative brings together the leading players in technology, platform architecture and solutions delivery," said Paul Magee, VeCommerce Managing Director. "It strengthens our position as we continue to focus on customer outcomes with best of breed technology enablers while extending our reach globally." The companies said the joint alliance would deliver better outcomes for organizations seeking to introduce customer friendly self-service solutions that reduce costs and increase customer satisfaction. VeCommerce and Genesys have had a close working relationship over the last three years, centered on live customer assistance through call center technology. The new framework focuses on utilizing the Genesys Voice Portal, a voice application platform for delivering enhanced voice extensible markup language (VoiceXML) speech applications, such as voice self-service. Genesys Voice Portal offers standards-based development, flexible deployment options, simplified integration and improved time to market for speech-directed applications. "We look forward to working with VeCommerce in addressing and succeeding in the voice self-service solutions market," said James Brooks, Genesys Australasia's managing director. "In a recent survey we undertook in Australia, 43 percent of respondents said they are presently evaluating this technology. We will be working closely with VeCommerce to accelerate the adoption of standards-based speech solutions that integrate seamlessly with an organisation's enterprise-wide self-service strategy." Under the terms of the agreement, SpeechWorks will provide the advanced speech technologies and will support VeCommerce with well-honed user design experience gained from hundreds of deployments worldwide. SpeechWorks customers in Australia include Credit Union Australia, Centrelink and TD Waterhouse. The agreement allows VeCommerce to resell SpeechWorks' OpenSpeech Product Line, including the entire suite of standards-based speech software incorporating the OpenSpeech Recogniser (OSR), Speechify text-to-speech engine, SpeechSecure speaker verification and SpeakFreely natural dialogue technology. "Businesses now considering an investment in speech technologies will benefit from the combined experience of these new partners in bringing speech solutions to market to ensure customer satisfaction and optimum return. With VeCommerce's excellent track record in delivering speech solutions, and the strength of SpeechWorks' technology in both the Genesys and VeCommerce architectures, this partnership creates an exciting new alternative for customers," said Peter Chidiac, Country Manager, SpeechWorks International.