Nuance and XCOM Launch Germany's First Voice-Enabled Financial Information System; Nuance's Speech Recognition Software Powers Real-Time Stock Quote System

Business Wire, Nov 28, 2001

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

MENLO PARK, Calif. and MUNICH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 28, 2001

Nuance (Nasdaq:NUAN), the leader in Voice Web software, and XCOM AG, a leading provider of financial services solutions, today announced the first deployment of a voice-driven real-time stock quote system, Capitto(R)-Kurs-Informer, in Germany. By simply dialing 0190 14 50 44 from any telephone, callers can ask for the latest share price update on the following German indices -- Dax, Mdax, Sdax, Smax and Nemax All Shares -- as well as information on stocks in the Nasdaq 100 and Dow Jones Industrial 30. The system can recognize 800 of the leading German stock names as well as more than 4,000 financial terms and expressions.

"This voice-activated financial information system is a first in Germany," said Nick Applegarth, managing director of Nuance, EMEA. "Users have indicated that it is very important for them to have access to this kind of information from any telephone at any time by simply asking for it. The financial world is fast-paced, so speed and ease of use is important. This service is fast, simple to use, and available 24 hours a day."

Calls are charged at about 50 US cents per minute. Callers do not have to subscribe to the system, the only payment is the cost of the call. The system's voice interface enables callers to interrupt at any time during the call to amend their requests, without having to wait for a pre-specified break. This makes the service fast and pleasant to use, and ensures that there are no unnecessary additional costs for callers.

"The great advantage with this system is that callers don't have to remember stock identification numbers to obtain the information they want, they can just say the name of the stock," said Diethelm Dahms, project manager, CTI & Spracherkennung, XCOM AG. "And they can get a stock price at anytime. For example, if they want to check the latest Siemens price at midnight, then it's just a quick call away."

The system understands whole natural language sentences and simple commands, for example, "Could I have the share price for Deutsche Telekom?" or just, "Deutsche Telekom." It also understands different stock identification possibilities such as:

-- Telekom

-- Telekom AG

-- Telekom Aktiengesellschaft

-- Deutsche Telekom AG

The system is powered by the industry's leading speech recognition software, Nuance 7.0, which handles the natural language recognition.

Future versions will have a calendar associated with a company's name, for example when the next AGM (annual general meeting) of a listed company is scheduled or what dividend it pays.

The financial information is provided by XCOM's quote server which links directly with the Deutsche Borse, Frankfurt.

About Nuance

Nuance is the leader in Voice Web software -- speech recognition, voice authentication, text-to-speech and voice-browsing products that make the information and services of enterprises, telecommunications networks and the Internet accessible from any telephone. Every day, millions of people interact with Nuance systems at companies like Japan Telecom, OnStar, Qwest Wireless, Sears and UBS. Nuance is headquartered in Menlo Park, Calif., with global sales offices and partners supporting solutions in multiple languages around the world. For more information about Nuance, visit www.nuance.com or call 1-888-NUANCE-8.

About XCOM AG

Founded in 1988, XCOM AG is one of the most innovative suppliers for e-business, e-commerce and e-banking solutions. XCOM is developing, integrating and deploying complete speech solutions in a broad range of applications. XCOM voice-recognition solutions such as the integrated family of CAPITTO-modules, offer companies in the service, commercial and industrial sectors a wealth of rationalization opportunities.

Its workforce of about 300 ensure the successful development of and support for innovative hardware and software solutions primarily in the fields of exchange dealing, stock market settlement, electronic banking, data logistics and data communications.

The company enjoys a leading position in Europe in the field of e-banking (in accordance with the HBCI standard) and offers a complete product range. Many financial services providers such as Deutsche Bank, Dresdner Bank, Commerzbank, HypoVereinsbank, Vereins- und Westbank and Berliner Bank have opted for the software solutions of XCOM AG. XCOM AG's customer base also includes industrial concerns such as BASF, Mannesmann Mobilfunk, Bosch and direct brokers like ConSors. For more information, visit XCOM AG at www.xcom.de

Nuance is a registered trademark of Nuance Communications, Inc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective holders.