EXCELSIS Speech Solutions nominated for VOICE AWARD 2005

Speech solutions from EXCELSIS nominated for VOICE AWARD 2005 in four of the five categories.

Stuttgart, 8.9.2005. The VOICE AWARD 2005 awards the best German-language speech applications and their providers. Under chairman Prof. Wolfgang Wahlster, Head of the German Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence, the jury announced the nominations for the VOICE AWARD 2005, which will be awarded on October 20th and 21st in Bonn. The solutions created by the EXCELSIS Group for its customers received nominations in four out of five categories, in a competition where nationwide more than 60 speech solutions were entered. "Independent experts once again confirmed the outstanding quality of our solutions" says Christian Sauter, CEO of EXCELSIS, about the nominations.

The traffic information system "InfoTraffic" of Viasuisse was even nominated twice, in both the categories "Best Practice" and "Best Added Value". The system was built by EXCELSIS together with Swisscom. With traffic information delivered via phone, travellers in Switzerland can query current information about the traffic situation at any time and place, and are able to use that information to plan better travel routes. The natural speaking service of the system enables the use of hands-free speaking, so that the driver can use it safely and comfortably during transit. Being updated every three minutes, the system supplies callers with the most current information. The navigation and all the traffic news are available in three languages: German, French and Italian, thus enabling users to select their preferred language.

If employees of Swisscom forget their passwords or want to unlock locked system accounts, they can use the "Automatic Password Release System" of Swisscom. The solution is derived from the speech based password management system of the EXCELSIS group. The solution considers all specific needs of Swisscom and is based on the optimal combination of speech recognition and speaker verification. User interaction is very direct and simple. First, the user answers simple questions in his or her preferred language, then the identity of the user is verified by comparing the spoken words with a previously recorded voiceprint. The account is automatically unlocked and on request a new password is issued. The successful use of speech biometry as well as the high advantage of password automation earned the solution the nomination in the category "most innovative application".

The citizen hotline for the German city of Augsburg was nominated in the category "Best Enterprise Solution". With this speech portal, realized together with the public services of Augsburg, citizens can get important information via phone at any time. A friendly voice welcomes the caller and provides the desired information and services based on the user's spoken queries, ranging from addresses and office hours, motor vehicle registration and deregistration, passport applications as well as general information about income taxes, all via a simple and intuitive dialogue. If the user's query isn't recognised, the call is routed to an employee.

All of the speech solutions provided by EXCELSIS are based on a standardised and open solution platform for speech portals which integrates modern speech technologies. Optimally balanced and redundant system components guarantee the platform is stable, scalable and fast.

About EXCELSIS

EXCELSIS Business Technology AG is one of the leading solution providers for speech portals and voice solutions worldwide. These solutions are deployed in television and radio media, finance and telecommunications, health care, transport and traffic, trade, utilities and public institutions. The speech solutions by EXCELSIS are built on a development platform based on the worldwide standard VoiceXML. In addition, EXCELSIS offers standard solutions for banking, brokerage, distribution, trade, information systems, customer management and helpdesk automation. Different requirements get different solutions, from a completely managed service to pay-per-use.

More than 100 institutions worldwide belong to the circle of customers of the EXCELSIS Group: 9Live, American Express, Cablecom, Debitel, dit, EnBW, HVB, LBBW, Orange, Rothschild, SAP, T-Com, Telecash, UBS and the United Overseas Insurance in Singapore. EXCELSIS was founded in 1998 in Stuttgart, engages more than 120 employees and has offices in Berlin, Bern, Luxembourg, Singapore, Stuttgart, Sydney and Zurich. The company, which is privately owned, has been profitable since its foundation.

Contact

EXCELSIS Business Technology AG
Daniela Burger – Head of Marketing
Wilhelmsplatz 8
70182 Stuttgart – Germany

Phone +49 711 6 20 30 113
daniela.burger@excelsisnet.com