Introducing the VoiceXML Server

TelecomInnovators’

Web SeminarSeries

Introducing theVoiceXML Server

David AsherProduct Manager, Platform Solutions, NMS

July 2005 Webinar

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www.nmscommunications.com

Agenda

Markets and introductionWhat is VoiceXML?System configurationsProduct description and featuresPerformance and roadmap

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Markets and Introduction

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What’s Driving The MarketThe Time Is Just Right for Servers

Equipment makers transition to ISVTechnology is not a competitive differentiatorWeb technologies being adopted for telco marketOutsourcing components, driven by

Reduced time-to-marketReduced cost and risk Faster technology absorption New industry standards and protocols

Services

Apps

Hardware2004

2010

Source: Frost & Sullivan

Services

Apps

Hardware

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Media Server DefinedSoftware Reuse in Multiple Applications

Media ServerThe User Interface

PrepaidConferencing

Voice MailSelf-Service

AttendantRingback

VoiceXML + CCXML:Industry Standards

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Separation of Media Processing from Scripting

SS7 ISDN VOIP

SIP

Complex MediaIVRTranscodingFaxConferencingVideo

Optional SignalingCAS, ISDNSS7SIP

Voice UI ScriptingComplex dialogsPrompt servingText-to-speechSpeech recognition

VoiceXML

VoiceXML Server

Media Server

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What Is VoiceXML ?

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What is VoiceXML?

An XML-based Internet mark-up language used to design speech applicationsUses the telephone to access the Internet

CommNetwork InternetVoiceXML

GatewayWeb

Servers

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Business Benefits

The migration of IVR systems to web technologies is natural

The web offers forums for standardizing proprietary protocols and APIsThe web offers solutions to distribution, scaling, security, and robustnessWeb deployment mechanisms reduce time and cost of service introductionThe web is rich with tools and skilled developers

VoiceXML is the natural voice user interface medium for bringing web-enabled services to telephony users

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VoiceXML's Place in the Market

IVR replacement: cost savings throughReduced development and deployment costsLeveraging existing web-enabled customer servicesEfficient exploitation of costly speech processors

Next-generation IVRIntegrate with services that can only be web-enabledAfter a bad start, web and voice portals are re-emerging

Multimodal servicesTreat voice access as one of a coherently handled set of customer-contact modesAsynchronous and simultaneous voice/visual modal services now possible

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Sample Code — Dialog Design

Source: Speech Objects, VoiceXMLWhite PaperNuance Communications, 2000

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Sample Code — VoiceXML ScriptVoiceXMLVersion

VoiceXMLField Name

PlayPrompt

Grammar toLoad, and Type

Load NextVoiceXMLDocument

Source: Speech Objects, VoiceXMLWhite PaperNuance Communications, 2000

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System Configuration

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VoiceXML In VOIP and PSTN

VoiceXML Server

Application Server

VoiceXML over HTTP

SIP & RTP

SIP Phone

LANLAN

SIP & RTP

PSTNPSTN

GatewayCAS, ISDN, ISUP

IP-PBX

SIP & RTP

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With a Natural Access Application

VoiceXML Server

Application ServerVoiceXML over HTTP

PSTNPSTN

RTP

Natural Access

SIP Fusion

NMS VOIP CG Board

SIP

T1/E1, ISDN

PCI

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Connecting to Media Resources

VoiceXML Server

SIP & RTP

ASR

RTP MRCP TCP

TTS Content

HTTP orFile

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Product Descriptionand Features

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Carrier-Grade VoiceXML

SIP-based architectureFlexible, scalable, and robust

Strict adherence to the VoiceXML standardExtension APIs do not violate the standard

Extensive logging and error reportingRapid debugging of VoiceXML programs

Remote control and monitoring of the server through a web consoleVoiceXML interpreter has been hardened against a wide range of error conditions through 24/7 operation in a public VoiceXML service: http://voxbuilder.com

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VoiceXML ServerInternal Functions

VoiceXML ServerVoiceXML Server

SIP RTP

VoiceXML Interpreter

VoiceXML Interpreter

SIPSIP RTPRTP MRCPMRCP

Prompt Server(SSML)

Prompt Server(SSML)

MRCP

HTTPHTTP

VoiceXML Application Files and Content

Media Server or Gateway Connection

ASR and TTS Connections

RTP

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VoiceXML Server Feature Set

Implements W3C VoiceXML 2.0, with support for SSML, SRGS, and SISRVoiceXML Interpreter certified compliant to VoiceXML 2.0 by the VoiceXML forumRTP/SIP connections to media server or gatewayHTTP streaming of media files with caching and SSL

MRCP interface for integration with speech recognition and text-to-speech serversPrompt Server uses SSML for improved speech synthesisWeb console allows an administrator to view the current status and perform management activitiesSupports Windows and Linux operating systems

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VoiceXML Special ExtensionsWithout Violating Standards

VoiceXML <object> APIC++ interface for enable custom implementations that may be invoked with the VoiceXML <object> tag

Call-Placer APIAn XML/HTTP extension that allows applications to initiate outbound sessions

Authorization APIAn XML/HTTP extension that enables access control over session establishment

Usage Indication APIAn XML/HTTP extension that is typically used to gather information for call detail reports

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What Is SSML ?

Speech Synthesis Markup LanguageSub component of VoiceXMLStandard method to control TTS enginesEmpowers developers to control TTS

Pronunciation, volume, pitch, emphasisW3C Recommendation

SSML 1.0 (September 2004)

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What Is SRGS ?

Speech Recognition Grammar SpecFor guiding the speech recognizers via grammars that describe the expected user responsesA Grammar defines "acceptable input"Input = DTMF and/or speechSpeech = words + patterns of wordsW3C Recommendation 2003SISR defines the syntax and semantics of the contents of tags in SRGS

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Media File Processing and Formats

Processing local and remote filesFILE://

Access to files on NFS or NTFS sharesHTTP://

Access to files on web servers with caching

FormatsRaw (headerless) G.711: μ-law and A-lawWAV (RIFF header): 8 kHz 8-bit μ-law and A-law, 16-bit linearSun audio (AU): 8 kHz 8-bit μ-law and A-law, 16-bit linearSPHERE (NIST header): 8 kHz 8-bit μ-law and 16-bit linear

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Remote Management

Web ConsoleStart, stop processesQuiesce channels prior to server shutdown or restartMonitor usage statistics

LoggingUp to 5 levels

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Supported Speech CapabilityASR

CurrentlyScansoftNuance

RoadmapTelismaLoquendo

TTSScansoft (RealSpeak)Scansoft (Rhetorical)AcapelaLoquendoSVOX

Supported Operating SystemsRed Hat® Enterprise Linux v3, Enterprise Server Update 3Microsoft Windows 2000 Server, Service Pack 4

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Performance and Roadmap

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System Sizing and Performance

Test ConfigurationWindows 2000 SP4Dual 2.8 GHz Intel Xeon2 GB memory10 VoiceXML pages

9 recognitionsDTMF only

12 promptsAudio files only

Results10 call answers per second (CAPS)120 concurrent calls33% CPU utilization74 MB RAM consumed< 2% increase in call processing delays

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VoiceXML Server Roadmap3.02.1Product Version

CCXMLVideo media typesSNMPMRCP for TTS servers

SIP network interfaceSSML prompt serverMRCP for ASR serversAPIs for dialing, authentication, and usage

Major Features

VoiceXML 2.1VoiceXML 2.0Language Compliance

December 2005June 2005Release Date

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Why NMS for VoiceXML

Carrier-grade featuresConformant to VoiceXML Forum testsFlexible SIP-based architectureWorldwide NMS product supportRoadmap for advanced featuresSingle vendor provides media processing and script processing

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For more information…

ContactDavid Asher, Product Manager, Platform Solutions, NMS +1 508 271 1807; [email protected]

Upcoming EventsSpeechTEK

August 1 – 4, 2005New York, NYBooth 700

VoIP Developer ConferenceAugust 2 – 4, 2005San Francisco, CABooth 404

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Full Speed Ahead: NMS Developer Conferences 2005Are you looking for the best technologies to develop hot new applications for the telecom market?

Join us at the NMS Developer Conferences, where you’ll find the information, technologies, products and interaction that will get you moving Full Speed Ahead.

Munich: September 14–15Boston: November 7–8Bangkok: December 7–8

www.nmscommunications.com/devcon05

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Documents

Introducing the VoiceXML Server