| Unified Dispatch Selects Audium to Develop
Speech-Driven Taxi Booking System |
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| NEW YORK, DECEMBER 13, 2001 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Unified Dispatch,
Inc. (UDI), the premier provider of next-generation speech-enabled
dispatch technology for the transportation industry has chosen
Audium, the leading developer of VoiceXML server and application
software for the enterprise market to build UniBook™, a voice-driven
system that allows passengers to book a taxi, shuttle or limousine
ride without having to wait to talk to a live operator. |
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UniBook, a fully integrated booking engine, reduces fleet
operator costs and dramatically improves the experience of booking a
ride. The UDI solution has been engineered to gather all necessary
information through an intuitive phone interface and seamlessly pass
it to any leading dispatch system, removing the need for live
operator intervention. The automation of this process will slash
total dispatch costs by more than 40% and reduce the frustrating
time passengers spend on-hold waiting for rushed operators. |
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| Leveraging Audium's standards-based VoiceXML technology, UniBook
can be run for hundreds or even thousands of fleet operators from a
central location. Additionally, each operator's application can have
its own unique user experience based on local requirements. |
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| "Audium's open-platform approach is ideal for UniBook, because it
allows us to operate in a multitude of environments without changing
our core technology," said Ted Sichelman, UDI's CEO. "After a
thorough investigation of various alternatives, we're convinced that
Audium was the best choice for us." |
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| Audium 2.0 is a Java-based software platform for the development
and operation of enterprise grade VoiceXML applications. The Audium
server offers businesses a simple way to build and run dynamic
VoiceXML applications on significantly accelerated schedules. |
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| "Working with UDI is an exciting opportunity for the Audium team
because the needs of a ground transport booking application leverage
the core strengths of Audium 2.0," said Michael Bergelson, Audium's
president and CEO. "The UniBook solution proves that well-designed
VoiceXML applications can provide superior service for customers at
reduced cost to the enterprise." |
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| UniBook employs the latest advances in speech recognition
technology, allowing passengers to enter addresses, dates, times and
other information required to book an immediate ride or make a
reservation. The application is integrated with the leading
automated fleet dispatch systems so that 40 - 60% of all rides can
be booked without the need for any human intervention on the part of
the fleet operator. |
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| The Unibook solution is currently available to transport
operators internationally through UDI. Audium 2.0 is available for
download today at http://www.audiumcentral.com. |
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