Vocalis joins the VoiceXML Forum

Vocalis, the leading UK provider of voice driven solutions, today announces that it has joined the VoiceXML Forum, the industry body responsible for promoting the understanding and use of the Voice Extensible Markup Language (VoiceXML) standard. This is with a view to encouraging the development of voice-driven Internet solutions.

The VoiceXML Forum was founded by AT∓mp;T, IBM, Lucent and Motorola, and is chartered with establishing and promoting VoiceXML, a new specification essential to making Internet content and information accessible via voice and phone. Vocalis has supported the activities of the Forum since its formation and wanted to now formally contribute to this industry association.

“The wider acceptance of voice recognition in the marketplace is dependent on the key players working together to propose and maintain industry-recognised standards,” commented Dr Mike Banbrook, Senior Technical Consultant, Vocalis. “Vocalis is therefore excited to play a leading role in the development of VoiceXML, which is of critical importance to the continuing evolution of this sector.”

Vocalis has joined the Forum at promoter level, providing voting rights in the committees and working groups established by the Forum's Technical Council and Marketing Committee, and the right to submit technology proposals for consideration. Vocalis is also entitled to participate in the technical and marketing activities of the Forum, by participating in committees and working groups.

“The VoiceXML Forum was established to promote the development of the voice recognition market and ensure a common standard is available to drive market acceptance of voice driven business solutions,” added Peter Lefkin, Executive Director of the VoiceXML Forum. “As it is the Promoters that really help drive our initiatives forward, we are always pleased to welcome them into the Forum.”

About the VoiceXML Forum The VoiceXML Forum is an industry organization established to promote VoiceXML as the universal standard for speech-enabled Web applications. The Forum supports the work of the VoiceXML community through its conformance testing, marketing, education, and outreach efforts. Bolstered by a membership that has more than tripled in the past year, in 2000 the Forum launched a Technical Council to support its Conformance and Education Committees, and also formed a Marketing Committee. The VoiceXML Forum is a program of the IEEE Industry Standards and Technology Organization (IEEE-ISTO), which manages the day-to-day operations of the Forum.