IBM and dtms Solutions Offer IBM WebSphere Voice Server to Access SOA Infrastructures by Voice

Market Wire, August, 2006

dtms Solutions and IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced that dtms will market IBM WebSphere® Voice Server speech recognition solutions to enterprises, tying their customers' transactions to related systems through a Service Oriented Architecture (SOA).

IBM WebSphere Voice Server speech software is integral to the creation of the new services being offered by dtms Solutions to enterprises. IBM and dtms Solutions view hosted speech as a means to help clients leverage the advantages of IBM speech recognition technology and help their customers become more innovative and productive. The speech interface is managed remotely and transforms speech input/output into Web services.

Enterprises increasingly recognize the benefits of offering their customers on demand access to information and self service to conduct transactions, such as checking account status, paying bills and finding transportation schedules. With speech-enabled applications from dtms Solutions, enterprises can offer their customers pleasant, convenient, on demand self service using the ubiquitous channel of the telephone.

Speech-based phone interactions can enable easy execution of familiar business processes, improving customer satisfaction while lowering cost of service. dtms Solutions' new capabilities facilitate the introduction of SOA-oriented systems throughout an enterprise as outsourced managed services, integrating their customers' requests and transactions into all the other related systems of that enterprise.

Speech recognition technology has matured, enabling users to interact with enterprise applications in a natural way. IBM is fully committed to speech as a core element of access to information within the Service Oriented Architecture. IBM speech solutions are built on open standards leading to reduced costs and increased flexibility and choice. As infrastructures for self service applications converge for data and voice, IBM's speech solutions can provide rapid enablement of new services.

IBM speech solutions with WebSphere Voice Server and WebSphere Application Server implemented within an SOA provide a crucial step toward the development and deployment of speech self-service solutions. A Service Oriented Architecture provides the integrated, open standards-based environment organizations need to meet complex challenges with quick response to new business requirements, while reducing information technology cost to the business. WebSphere Voice Server (WVS) provides greater access to information and services, simply by speaking, using breakthrough speech technology. It supplies users with middleware that aids in developing and deploying voice-enabled applications that can give customers, employees and suppliers access to information and services.

WebSphere integration and infrastructure software can help leverage existing IT investments and resources to support new business models, reach users in new ways, and integrate business processes with an enterprise-wide, flexible, service-oriented approach to application integration.

"Phone-based speech interaction services deliver an additional value to companies who are transforming their IT infrastructure to SOA," said Duncan Ross, IBM's International Voice Solutions Manager, "The hosted service model of dtms Solutions makes it easy to use IBM's speech technology without a substantial initial investment or the need for highly skilled specialist in-house staff. This speeds adoption in all business sectors and helps any size enterprise participate in the value of innovation with speech recognition."

"The market for speech application is shifting rapidly from a silo to an integration focus," said Christian Pereira, General Manager of dtms Solutions. "We were looking for technology that makes it easier to integrate phone-based interactions with business applications and IT infrastructures in general. IBM's WebSphere Application Server is a clear leader in the industry. IBM WebSphere Voice Server is built on WebSphere Application Server as the foundation architecture. We believe IBM WebSphere Application Server and WebSphere Voice Server together bring unparalleled management and reliability capabilities to speech-based services."

"We are delighted that dtms Solutions has chosen IBM WebSphere Voice Server as the main enabler of their new range of hosted self service solutions," said Jeff Paul, IBM Vice President for WebSphere Sales, North East Europe. "Enterprises in Europe are benefiting from a range of solutions provided by a growing ecosystem of IBM partners. IBM's new relationship with dtms Solutions enables on-demand customer service by phone, providing another integrated element of the total customer service experience, complementing all the other channels of interaction already handled by the WebSphere family of products."

dtms' and IBM's joint solutions introduce new offerings to help address business challenges across a range of industries including insurance, travel, and the public sector.