Brooktrout Offers Platform for MSFT

BRUSSELS, Belgium -- Brooktrout Technology, Inc., a leading supplier of media processing and call control products, today announced general availability for its TR1000(tm) for Microsoft Speech Server (MSS) 2004 R2. The product includes Brooktrout's TR1000 speech processing board, Telephony Interface Manager (TIM), drivers, configuration tools and a complete suite of management utilities for MSS 2004 R2. In addition, Brooktrout is expanding the sales channel of enabling technology for MSS 2004 R2 by offering its solution through Ingram Micro and Tech Data and working with its extensive channel of over 3,000 VARs to help accelerate the market adoption for speech.

"By creating a specialized product bundle Brooktrout is providing an affordable, easy-to-order solution which should further reduce the development and deployment cost for Microsoft Speech Server based solutions," said Piyush Dogra, director of strategic alliances at Microsoft. "We are also pleased to see Brooktrout make this available through their broad distribution network which expands the reach beyond telecom resellers to more traditional Microsoft business partners."

Brooktrout has obtained certifications for its telephony platform with Windows Server 2003 and WHQL. TR1000 for MSS has also been tested with MSS 2004 R2, providing support for Microsoft's latest release of Speech Server announced today.

The TR1000 for MSS allows speech application developers to focus on application design by presenting an abstraction layer for the underlying telephony protocols that allows the Brooktrout TIM to manage all the telephony resources. The TIM controls communication between the TR1000 and telephone network, streams media for recognition and speech output, performs DTMF detection and processes all the call control.

Brooktrout is working with leading MSS partners including bridgeSpeak, Pronexus and Voice Automation to ensure compatibility with key features such as automated speech recognition (ASR), touch-tone (DTMF) and text-to-speech (TTS).

"Every bridgeSpeak product is designed as a turnkey solution which can be implemented quickly and easily - without hidden costs, extensive consulting engagements or complicated back-end service contracts," said Jon Poploskie, vice president of bridgeSpeak. "Brooktrout's TR1000 for Microsoft Speech Server 2004 R2 fits right in with this ease of ownership model, allowing our customers to realize measurable returns on their investment within months instead of years."

"Microsoft Speech Server 2004 R2 is a compelling platform for delivering speech-enabled applications throughout the enterprise and is a key driver in bringing speech into the mainstream," said Gary Hannah, president and CEO of Pronexus. "The Pronexus VBSALT Rapid Application Development (RAD) tool combined with Brooktrout's TR1000 for Microsoft Speech Server complements the Microsoft platform and allows IT Managers, software programmers, and call center developers to rapidly create sophisticated speech-enabled applications."

"We have been looking for a solution that supports Microsoft Speech Server and can scale from low density analog to multi-span T1 configurations," said Jack Killian, president of Voice Automation. "Brooktrout's TR1000 for Microsoft Speech Server gives us an easy to order and easy to install platform for our Voice Automation(tm) for Microsoft Exchange packaged application."