could this be used with crisis communication
Arial Systems Introduces Voice-Activated Module
For ArialView, Its Enterprise-Wide Intranet
Solution For Finding Personnel Fast
Simple voice prompts determine a person's availability, backup
contacts and more
LOS ANGELES (CT Expo, March 1, 1999)-Arial Systems today
announced the addition of a voice-activated navigation module for
ArialView™, its turnkey intranet solution that intelligently
determines the whereabouts of and connects callers with
associates throughout an enterprise. The new ArialVoice
Browser™ gives users access to key functions of the ArialView
application without using a telephone keypad, a computer screen
or the assistance of a receptionist.
An optional module in the ArialView product suite, the voice
component enables company associates or authorized outside
callers to request any individual in an organization by name,
determine whether that person is in the office and available, and
then connect to that party simply by speaking naturally into the
telephone. This eliminates the need to memorize extensions and
allows users to access the system hands-free.
If the needed associate is unavailable, the ArialVoice Browser
gives callers the option of leaving a voice mail or immediately
connecting to alternative personnel. ("Joe Smith is taking calls for
Susan Brown; would you like to be connected?") If the desired
party is away from his or her desk but elsewhere in the building,
the caller can be transferred to the appropriate extension.
Future versions of the ArialVoice Browser will take full advantage
of the power of ArialView by adding the ability to verbally search
the ArialView knowledge directory by skill set, department or
location as well as by name. Users also will be able to access
an individual's fax, cell phone, pager, e-mail, and electronic
schedule by voice.
"Our new ArialVoice Browser offers all the advantages of an auto
attendant with speech recognition, but its real strength lies in the
fact that it has the full intelligence of ArialView behind it," said
Jim Alland, CEO of Arial Systems. "That means that it provides a
person's availability at any given time, will search for a backup if
that person is unavailable, and will also determine if the backup
is available.
"This makes it possible for a company to resolve customer
problems more rapidly than ever before," Alland said. "No other
application on the market has these capabilities."
The ArialVoice Browser integrates with an enterprise's existing
telephony system. It utilizes Lernout & Hauspie's (L&H),
industry-leading speech recognition engine, which is
speaker-independent, and requires no special training.
About ArialView
ArialView is the first tool in the industry that enables a company
to integrate all staff skill, availability and contact information in
one solution for one-click access to needed personnel. Designed
for technical support centers, sales teams and other settings
requiring collaborative problem-solving, it helps organizations
respond quickly to customer problems and inquiries by
overcoming phone tag and other barriers to getting in touch with
specific associates.
Core components of the ArialView suite include an online catalog
of all associates, their skill sets, extension numbers, fax
numbers, cell phones, pagers, e-mail addresses, and photos,
plus links to their daily calendars; an electronic in/out board
showing their availability in real time; and the ability to contact a
needed associate simply by clicking on the desired contact
number in the ArialView directory.
Creation of the initial database is a simple process, and the
system automatically converts new and updated data into HTML
format for placement on the corporate intranet server. Users can
search the catalog via Web browser by name, skill, department,
location or even photo to locate needed resources.
The system's virtual in/out board allows associates to indicate
whether they are in or out of the office, at their desks or
elsewhere in the facility simply by clicking on an icon at their
workstations. Alternatively, this information can be automatically
updated every few seconds through wireless identification
technology. Integration with a company's telephony system can
indicate whether users are on or off their extensions, speeding
the process of connecting with the desired party.
The turnkey design eliminates the time and expense of building a
custom intranet, and the browser-based architecture eliminates
the need to install and maintain software on client PCs. Users
have a variety of options for integrating with other software
applications and hardware devices to access and update the
knowledge catalog, including a company's telephony system,
PDAs, infrared, radio frequency ID, or voice recognition systems.
ArialView operates on a Windows NT platform with a Microsoft
SQL Server database. Prices for the core module begin at
$15,000. For more information, contact Arial Systems at
847.573.9925.
Arial Systems develops and markets a suite of software solutions
that help companies improve their communication processes to
enhance customer retention. The company is located in Vernon
Hills, IL.
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