NEW YORK, Oct. 1, 2003 — Today at the ninth annual SpeechTEK exposition and conference, Microsoft Corp. unveiled its Joint Development Program (JDP) customers and partners, which are developing and deploying applications built with the Speech Application Software Development Kit (SASDK) on the Microsoft® Speech Server, part of the Windows Server System™
family of products. The JDP is an integral part of the customer-centric product development cycle at Microsoft for providing real-world production-environment-level testing by some of the most demanding Microsoft customers and enterprise partners.
“We are committed to bringing speech technologies to the mainstream enterprise market, and our JDP participants are helping us achieve this vision,”
said Kai-Fu Lee, corporate vice president of the Speech Technologies group at Microsoft.
“By working with this diverse set of industry-leading companies to incorporate their feedback on Microsoft Speech Technologies, we are well-positioned to provide the market with a first-class speech platform.”
Enterprise customers and partners have been working closely with Microsoft over the past year to ensure optimum platform quality, reliability and scalability for deploying speech-enabled applications with Microsoft Speech Application Language Tags (SALT)-based speech technologies. Participating customers in the JDP include GMAC Commercial Mortgage Corp., Grange Insurance, Jet Blue Airways, Mary Kay Inc. and the New York City Department of Education; participating partners include Intel Corp., Intervoice Inc., Maxxar Corporation, ScanSoft Inc., TALX Corporation and Tata Consultancy Services. Those interested in learning more about Microsofts JDP participants and how they are using Speech Server and SASDK can visit http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/presskits/2003/msspeech/default.asp .
The Microsoft Speech Server is designed to be the most integrated, flexible and cost-effective speech platform available. It is intended to deliver low total cost of ownership for enterprise-scale speech application deployments, for large companies as well as midsize companies that previously could not afford a speech solution. The Speech Server, used in conjunction with the Microsoft SASDK, forms a comprehensive speech package for companies interested in developing, testing, deploying and managing SALT-based telephony and multimodal applications. Microsoft is enabling enterprises to deploy speech applications that can improve employee productivity, increase customer satisfaction, create new revenue opportunities, and reduce costs through streamlining Web and call-center infrastructures. More information on Speech Server and SASDK can be found online at http://www.microsoft.com/speech/ . Enterprise companies interested in taking advantage of the Microsoft Speech Server can apply to the beta program at http://www.microsoft.com/speech/beta/. Industry participants interested in developing solutions and applications on the Microsoft Speech Server can apply for admission to the Microsoft Speech Partner Program at http://www.microsoft.com/speech/partners/ .
About Windows Server System
Microsoft Windows Server System is integrated and interoperable server infrastructure that reduces IT complexity to enable IT professionals to deliver innovative solutions that meet the changing needs of business.
With Windows Server™
2003 at the foundation, Windows Server System is engineered from the ground up for XML Web services based on Microsoft .NET technologies to connect information, people, systems and devices. Based on a common software architecture that spans all facets of IT from design, development and deployment through ongoing management and usage, Windows Server System provides comprehensive IT infrastructure for operations (security, systems management, networked storage), applications (data management and analysis, e-business), and information work (messaging, communications and collaboration). More information on Microsoft Windows Server System can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserversystem/ .
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software
any time, any place and on any device.
Microsoft, Windows Server System and Windows Server are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
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