Speech recognition has always been a challenge for the business world. While interactive voice response systems have at least provided an offering in the market, the tools often fall short of expectations, largely because the speech recognition landscape as a whole is underdeveloped from where enterprises would like it to be.
In a recent ZDNet report, speech recognition specialist James Kendrick highlighted how the idea of speaking into a mobile device or computing platform and having those words quickly and accurately translated into text and action is still somewhat of a pipe dream. However, there have been improvements during the past several years that have revitalized the idea of utilizing IVR and other solutions to improve business operations and daily consumer activities.
Sometimes, companies can catch hitches in new programs they have adopted. Microsoft Lync is no exception, and J. Peter Bruzzese wrote on InfoWorld that while businesses sometimes experience frustrations when first implementing Microsoft Lync, organizations can realize some great benefits from the software once any initial issues are overcome.
In a recent blog post, Bruzzese detailed a recent "eye-opening" conversation he had about the program with Jamie Stark, Microsoft's senior technical product manager for Lync.
"For starters, I asked why Lync has a Web-based console (I'm not a fan of Web-based consoles)," Bruzzese wrote. "Stark said it derived from a decision a few years back that PowerShell was going to be integrated into everything. In that context, Microsoft could have gone with the MMC front end or had a Web-based console. The latter is a little easier to get to from any workstation, so it's more flexible for admins. And the telephony folks, who come from a non-Microsoft background, typically worked on Unix, Cisco, or other appliances that usually have Web-based consoles."
Microsoft looked to reinforce the program's telephony capabilities with its software that runs on a server, which is a big shift from legacy appliance-based devices that were previously commonplace in business.
Sangoma Companies can get a lot from a unified communications and collaboration program, such as Microsoft Lync. With the VoIP, video conferencing and productivity features, business has potential to improve dramatically by using these tools. Organizations realize this, as Dimension Data predicted that $53 million to be spent on these tools in the next two years. However, without user adoption, it may all be for naught, the report said, those who use the program seem to be the key to its success.
Session 1 of 4
Wed., Nov. 5 @ 7am-9am EST / 12pm-2pm GMT / 5:30pm-7:30pm IST
Tie-in your knowledge of Express for Lync with this FREE ($299 Value) Online Introductory Technical Training. The presentation will last approximately 90 minutes followed by a Q&A section.
Agenda:
- Understanding How the Express for Lync Appliance Works
- MS Lync Introduction
- Appliance Walk-through
- Q&A
