Edify Corp., a leading global supplier of voice and speech solutions, today announced the general availability of Edify Voice Interaction Platform, Release 9.5 with enhanced support for hardware- and software-based Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). This provides organizations with the flexibility to implement the VoIP solution that best fits and supports their needs to maximize their IT investment and reduce operation and maintenance costs.

VoIP can dramatically reduce costs by utilizing vast global IP-based network resources instead of traditional metered telephone environments. Because VoIP technologies also offer new opportunities to integrate voice, data and the web, contact centers can handle both self-service and agent-assisted calls more efficiently and effectively.

"VoIP is being adopted at an increasing rate throughout the enterprise. By using standards-based technologies from companies such as Intel, we're helping enterprises maximize the benefits of this technology," said Mitch Mandich, president and CEO of Edify. "Customers can now easily scale their voice solutions and reap the benefits from open standards -- driving down total cost of ownership and improving their bottom line."

"Lowering TCO is a key driver for the deployment of IP in the enterprise and standards-based technology is helping to make that a reality," said Tim Moynihan, director of marketing, Modular Communications Platform Divisions, Intel. "With the addition of Intel NetStructure Host Media Processing to Edify Voice Interaction Platform enterprises are able to lower TCO by helping to eliminate traditional telephony connections and the need for telephony boards."

New and updated features in EVIP Release 9.5 include:

• Intel NetStructure Host Media Processing Software Support -- Enterprises can now deliver VoIP either through a traditional card-based solution or by using a Host Media Processing software-only approach from Intel. Enterprises with very high port densities may choose card based solutions while customers with more distributed systems (fewer ports per system) find that it is more cost effective to go with a software- based solution that can scale to exactly meet their needs. Edify's dual approach allows for easy upgrading of existing PSTN applications to support VoIP solutions.
• MRCP 1.0 Support (HMP Only) -- The new version supports the Media Resource Control Protocol (MRCP) open standard for broader speech recognition engine support. MRCP is a network protocol that provides an interface between speech media servers and speech application platforms, controlling speech resources over a network. MRCP provides allows speech services from any vendor to be deployed from any location.
• Windows 2003 SP1 and Windows XP Support -- EVIP Release 9.5 supports Windows 2003 operating environment for business operations and Windows XP for development.
• Edify verification of 9.5 support for VoiceXML 2.0 -- In order to provide the most flexible and innovative client for executing self- service applications, the new release extends Edify's VoiceXML 2.0 certified Voice Browser to include native VoIP (no gateway required). Edify is verifying support for VoiceXML 2.0 on this new release.
• Nuance OSDM 2.0 support -- The new release supports Nuance OpenSpeech Dialog Modules Release 2.0 (OSDM 2.0) allowing those customers who would like to utilize OSDM-based solutions from Nuance to run those solutions using an Edify VoiceXML browser in either a standalone mode or as part of the all-in-one product.
• Cut/Copy/Paste between Application Objects (AOs) -- Edify now supports cut, copy, and paste between Application Objects. This feature allows work done in one object to be cut and pasted to others, thus saving development time.

EVIP Release 9.5 enables companies to provide superior customer service and get the most out of their IT investments by helping them build and deploy standards-based voice applications utilizing VoIP, Session Initiation Protocol and VoiceXML. The new version supports these emerging standards and also provides organizations with the opportunity to choose from two separate deployment options: a Voice Browser and Voice Application Server that enables companies to deploy an Enterprise Voice Portal Architecture, or a complete voice system platform that encompasses an all-in-one voice and speech solution.