PROSODIE and MATERNA offer French network operator SFR complete speech control solution for SMS messages
Boulogne-Billancourt/Dortmund, 18 May 2004
PROSODIE and MATERNA provide SFR customers with the service called “Texto vers fixe“. Using text to speech conversion, this service includes the control of SMS messages sent from a SFR mobile handset to a fixed line telephone number. PROSODIE integrated the software solution from MATERNA Information & Communications in response to customer requirements. Their overall solution secures the hosting and operating of the platform "Texto vers fixe".
SFR has successfully launched the service called "Texto vers fixe" enabling customers to send SMS messages from a mobile device to a fixed line number. These text messages are turned into speech messages by means of text to speech conversion, read out to the recipient or saved on the answering machine. It is also possible to send the message in form of a fax. So, all SMS messages sent to a French number beginning with 01, 02, 03, 04 or 05 are delivered by "Texto vers fixe" in form of a speech message.
As this service is perfectly adapted to mobile services, it uses the specific syntax and vocabulary of the SMS world (short words, acronyms, etc.) "RDV 2van le 6né" would be pronounced : "Rendez-vous devant le ciné". Furthermore, SFR required a possibility for dictionary extension in order to guarantee high quality reproduction of messages.
Cyrille Foillard at SFR said: "Our customers have created their own SMS language enabling them to say more than it would normally be possible on the basis of 160 characters. We have to work with this thesaurus and to transfer it completely into the oral transmission. Language develops continuously and the service "Texto vers fixe" must develop accordingly. This is why an extensible dictionary is necessary. Moreover, the delivery of speech messages can be restricted to certain times in order to avoid that messages are delivered at night or at the weekend.
According to SFR requirements, PROSODIE integrated the software solution from MATERNA which is highly accepted by European consumers. This corporation has established the position of a real market leader for fixed line services in Europe. In Germany, MATERNA´s market share is more than 50 per cent. The company guarantees the operation of this innovative service on behalf of important providers in Great Britain, Turkey, Poland, Luxembourg and other countries.
Robert Nobelen, Regional Manager France at MATERNA, stated: “This solution meets the actual market demand, enabling all mobile users to take advantage of the very popular SMS service rather than voice for fixed net communication. First experiences made in Europe actually show that this new service is highly approved. Because of its user friendliness and convenience it is very popular with teenagers, in particular. “
“Texto vers fixe“ is provided by PROSODIE who operate this solution 24 hours a day, seven days a week, thus, securing the service quality network operators expect.
Sébastien Dumenil, manager of mobile services at PROSODIE, department “Internet & Mobility Solutions”, said: “The start of the service "Texto vers fixe" allows PROSODIE applications to set up a position in the market and to enter the world of fixed net services and wireless services. Furthermore, this service entails a strong increase in so called "multi-modal“ services. Those are used for the creation of messages, information check ups or the retrieval of contents through a medium (SMS, voice server with speech recognition, Web, mobile Internet) or for receiving information via other media."
About PROSODIE
PROSODIE offers efficient value added services for the administration of corporate information as well as innovative solutions for the distribution and transmission of these services. Using their expertise in IT and telecommunications, they also deliver information directly to a large public, counting on the three PROSODIE Info brands METEO CONSULT, GENY courses and France-examen. PROSODIE is represented in France, North America (USA and Canada) and Spain. In 2003, all subsidiaries together achieved a consolidated turnover of 165.2 million Euros and a corporate profit of 15.4 million Euros. PROSODIE belongs to Next 150, SBF 250, IT-CAC 50, and to the Next Economy segment of Euronext. In July 2003, ANVAR, the French agency for innovation, gave PROSODIE the name "Entreprise innovante". ISIN (International Securities Identification Number): FR0004152031ISIN/WKN number of purchase right: FR0000309023
www.prosodie.com
PROSODIE
Mélanie Roetzinger
Phone: +33 1 46 84 17 70
mroetzinger@prosodie.com
Presse & Technologies
Corinne Charles / Mélanie Barreau
Phone: +33 1 56 56 64 64 mbarreau@pressetech.fr
About MATERNA Information & Communications
MATERNA is a leading software company in the field of information and communication technology. The company employs worldwide 1.100 staff members and its turnover was estimated to more than 142 million Euros for the year 2003. Beside the head office in Dortmund, the company has offices and subsidiaries located all over Germany as well as in Austria, Belgium, Czech republic, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand and USA. The Business Unit Communications offers products and solutions from the business area Mobile Solutions and Unified Messaging. This includes in particular value-added services for mobile and fixed net on base of SMS, MMS, WAP and Mobile Java which are distributed under the brand name Anny Way. The Anny Way Academy is active on the market in terms of trainings and consulting services as found in practice. In the Business Unit Information, MATERNA develops integrated IT solutions for process optimization involving companies and public administration. This includes the topic fields Portals, Information Management, Service and IT Infrastructure Management.
For further details, please contact:
MATERNA Information & Communications
Antje Krämerantje.kraemer@materna.de
Phone +49 173 70 11 085www.materna.comwww.annyway.com
