InformationWeek
Defining The Business Value Of Technology
|
March 12, 2001 |
 |
Editor: Karyl Scott (kscott@cmp.com)
Speak and Surf Service
With Internet-capable cell phones, PDAs, and other mobile devices proliferating, the point-and-click interface is becoming obsolete as browsing the Internet becomes less of a desktop experience. The ability to enter voice commands is becoming more compelling to a broader number of people, and HeyAnita Inc. is betting that the time is right to move to the say-and-do interface. Unlike traditional keypad-or voice-response systems, HeyAnita's voice technology recognizes natural language--and, most important, is capable of initiating programmatic interaction.
Founded 18 months ago by a team of Microsoft expatriates, HeyAnita is poised to deliver what it terms "end-to-end voice-enabled applications." The technology will let users access, navigate, and manage Internet data via telephone. The company is initially targeting the telecommunications, financial services, automotive, and health-care industries.
HeyAnita is effectively a voice portal. Customers dial a toll-free number from which they can obtain verbal information, listen to and respond to E-mail, manage calendars, access Internet-based services, and buy products. The catch: You have to to enunciate clearly, and you need to find a quiet location so background noise won't make the experience unpleasant--something that's easier said than done.
Because HeyAnita licenses its technology and packaged applications, IT departments will be able to offer access to their own interactive voice response-enabled applications. Developers can code their applications in familiar programming languages and use HeyAnita's Free Speech Platform to transform them into VoiceXML. VoiceXML is fully compliant with World Wide Web Consortium standards, the company says.
ERP interface support includes SAP and PeopleSoft. E-commerce capabilities include support for catalog browsing, shopping carts, and inquiries about checkout and order status. Support for Microsoft Outlook and Lotus Notes will be forthcoming.
The HeyAnita browser is still in beta, but you can try out the service at http://www.heyanita.com. Among the services currently available are weather, news, sports information, stock quotes, horoscopes, traffic reports, business locations, flight tracker, and package tracker (from both Federal Express and United Parcel Service).--Ron Copeland
 E-mail To A Friend | Printer-Friendly |  Send Us Your Feedback |
||
