Liaison's Core, The VIP Platform

Each Liaison application revolves around the functionality of Interact's pioneering Voice and Information Processing (VIP) media platform. For 23 years this base server has been the cornerstone of our customers' global endeavors, and it currently supports over 70 million end users from Brazil to India.

As a high performance IVR / IP hybrid, the VIP media platform can easily handle ISUP / SS7 messaging while at the very same time utilizing a rich heritage of superior IVR functionality based upon cutting edge Linux and VoiceXML technologies.

For service providers operating in an Intelligent Networking environment, the ambidextrous nature of the VIP media platform means that instead of having to make do with traditional, single faceted Inteligent Peripherals (IPs) which have no ability to add to the bottom line in terms of value added telephony services, operators are presented with the option of simultaneously deploying multimedia / IVR-related applications.

For providers currently operating in a Service Node environment, this means that if and when they choose to migrate to an Intelligent Networking environment, they can reuse the same hardware and software currently employed in their existing VIP platform.

Following is a list of primary VIP platform features and capabilities.
· VoiceXML Support
· Linux
· 24 < 480 ports
· SNMP-enabled
· Web-Based Central Monitoring
· Multi-Targeted Call Flows
· Event-Distributed Environment
· Aculab ASR
· Unlimited Scalability
· Multilingual Support
· Does Not Require SS7 Backbone
· Industry Superior Hardware

VoiceXML Support

As human-computer user interfaces become more advanced and web standards become even more pervasive, the VIP platform's support of VoiceXML will aid in providing increasingly natural conversational interactions between people and vast reservoirs of continually updated web content.

Some specific benefits realized by using VoiceXML are:

• Call Flows and Prompts may all be adjusted by customers in real-time, eliminating the time traditionally needed to compile code before application deployment.
• Because the VIP platform's VoiceXML front-end is separated from back-end systems, changes made to VoiceXML code do not affect signaling and other critical call handling functionalities.
• VoiceXML is forms-based, meaning that interactive dialog is orchestrated by a series of dynamic prompts and end-user responses. Different end-user responses drive the VoiceXML application to play different, subscriber-appropriate prompts. This process is also known as invoking multiple call flows.
• Because the VoiceXML language mimics web scripting, programmers that are well versed in web development languages may be leveraged to develop rich, unique VoiceXML applications.

And as there are web creation tools designed specifically for developers without years of web development experience, there are many commercial tools that may be utilized to make painless, yet innovative VoiceXML applications. For script modification, these tools may access the VIP platform via XML over HTTP, CORBA, and TCP / IP Sockets.

Linux

The VIP platform utilizes Linux, and therefore passes on its many benefits, such as unbeatable adaptability, stability, and security, to our customers.

24< 480 Ports

A single chassis has the capability to scale from 24 to 480 ports, with multiple chassis being able to seamlessly link together. This capability could be exceptionally enticing to service providers or enterprises that are starting out small, but who plan to grow exponentially.

SNMP-Enabled

Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is an Internet protocol that facilitates the exchange of management information between network devices. This substrate enables network administrators to stay on top of network performance, find / solve network problems, and plan for network growth.

Web-Based Central Monitoring

Full Internet accessibility to VIP platforms is key to Interact's customer-driven philosophy. In fact we have made it simple for administrators to sit down at any appropriately secured web-based terminal and monitor VIP platform progress and functionality.

This is extremely beneficial to administrators who are responsible for overseeing multiple decentralized sites as well as client's who utilize Interact's Service Bureau and choose to manage operations remotely.

Multi-Targeted Call Flows

Service providers may choose to equip their subscriber-facing applications with multiple "personalities" in order to forge more intimate and loyal relationships with various target markets.

In one instance, a mobile phone user with a profile (gleaned from an ANI, PIN, etc.) indicating that the subscriber is under 18 years of age may encounter an upbeat young female voice when invoking an operator's IVR "top up" service, while a different user with a 65+ subscriber profile might encounter a more sophisticated personality when utilizing the very same service.

This same concept can also be applied to different languages, a functionality crucial for service providers operating in highly diverse markets.

All multi-targeted call flow scenarios are easily accomplished via Interact's VoiceXML-enabled VIP platform.

Event-Distributed Environment

Telecommunications traffic can be described as erratic at best. For this reason, Interact has chosen to employ a resource optimizing Event Driven methodology as opposed to a polling system when it comes to managing the cooperation of distributed VIP programs.

This design gives service providers the power to dynamically shift resource muscle to and from processes that need it most.

Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR)

The VIP platform's support of Aculab's revolutionary phoneme-based speech technology enables operators and enterprises alike to deploy highly interactive, uncannily human-like applications.

Unlimited Scalability

VIP platforms may be configured from 24-480 ports per chassis, with no limitation on numbers of chassis deployed in a solution.

Multilingual Support

From Afrikaans and Arabic to Xhosa and Zulu the VIP platform supports virtually every language around the globe, making it a compelling choice for service providers operating in diverse markets.

Does Not Require SS7 Backbone

Interact's Signaling Interface Server (ISIS) serves as an extremely cost-efficient gateway from the SS7 network to the VIP platform and vice versa. Only one point code is needed per ISIS unit rather than for each E1 / T1 collocated with the VIP chassis, and as a rule ISIS units are deployed in pairs (sharing the same point code) for maximum redundancy.

Industry Superior Hardware

The portability of our solutions, in addition to the partnerships that we have forged with the highest quality hardware manufacturers on the market, enables us to work with each client to find the perfect match of software and hardware.

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