Speech Tech Turns IT Managers into Heros

Today the IT Manager's Journal recently published an interesting read on the role of speech technology can play in improving the bottom line. VoiceXML is mentioned as helpful, but not a panacea, as vendors tend to extend their implementations. In the same breath, Microsoft is cited as muddying the waters with its promotion of SALT.

I would take exception with the author's conjecture that Intel and Cisco are solidly in Microsoft's corner in this area. While both companies originally joined the now defunct SALTForum, the author (Paul Korzeniowski) must not be aware of the fact that most recently Intel joined the VoiceXML Forum as a sponsor member, and the active role Intel folks are playing in the VoiceXML Forum. Cisco is also a member of the VoiceXML Forum at the promoter level.

Another interesting anecdote is a quotation from the Garter Group pointing out the fact that Microsoft's Speech Server 2004 has not had much impact on the market.

Read the article.