Microsoft Talks Up Speech Server 2004: Page 4 of 6

What About VoiceXML?

Microsoft's speech application development offering is based on its Speech Application Language Tags (SALT) programming language, which obviously competes against the current leading open standard for developing speech-enabled applications, VoiceXML.

However, VXML has its limitations for enabling flexible convergence between visual interfaces for web online applications and speech interfaces for telephone and multi-modal applications. In particular, VXML lacks functionality in call-control tasks, which has caused yet another set of supplementary programming language tags to be developed by the IETF, Call Control XML (CCXML).

Although VXML-based applications are projected to process over 10 billion calls for large enterprises in 2004 in North America, according to Yankee Group analyst, Art Schoeller, that doesn't necessary mean it will remain the only game in town.

In addition to the added convergence flexibility promised by SALT, the large, under-served SMB market will be the initial target of opportunities for the MS Speech Server and its application developers. As multi-modal handheld devices continue their penetration of the consumer market, and VoIP replaces the TDM infrastructure of the PSTN, the practicality of converged (self-service) interfaces for both business and communication applications will also increase.