Microsoft and VoiceXML
Well, for once the rumours are true. Microsoft issued a Press Release this morning announcing that Speech Server 2007, due later this year, will support not only SALT (and some new .Net speech APIs), but also VoiceXML. We have also joined the VoiceXML Forum. As former chair of the SALT Forum Technical Working Group, I have only this to say: "Bravo!"
This is an example of us listening to customers - many customers in many different camps. In some cases, the standards question was getting in the way of the issues of real importance. And with that question now removed, the benefits of Speech Server in resolving the real issues should become much clearer.
So what's our position on SALT? As strongly behind it as ever. We have a strong and growing SALT customer base that we'll actively support for years to come. And all the points I've previously made about the technical differences between SALT and VoiceXML still apply - now they apply more specifically to your choice of standards on MSS 2007...
When the dust settles on this one, more about the other feature announcements in the PR to come.
