Unique HTML Voice Browsing Technology Offers
Employees of Global 2000 Companies Rapid, Easy Selection of
Healthcare and Benefits Services
SAN FRANCISCO, California, February 7, 2001
VocalPoint Technologies (www.vocalpoint.com), the fastest,
easiest way to voice-enable Web content, today announced that
EasyBenefits.com has selected VocalPoint to provide voice
access to its Web-based human resources services via any phone.
VocalPoint Technologies offers unique products and services
that provide access to Web content and applications by voice,
from any phone. Using VocalPoint's patent-pending voice browsing
technology, EasyBenefits.com will expand its Web-based human
resources services to provide simple, rapid telephone access
to its healthcare and benefits selection systems for all its
customers.
Businesses face growing customer demand for immediate and
simple access to information and services. While companies
have invested billions of dollars in developing Web sites
to deliver content, products and services, the reality is
that the phone, not the Web, is ubiquitous. VocalPoint's voice
enabling technology automatically converts HTML and XML content
to voice, quickly extending existing corporate Web assets
into phone services with minimal development requirements.
VocalPoint provides unique voice solutions that offer rapid
delivery of cost-effective, flexible voice applications.
EasyBenefits.com provides easy-to-use applications that
simplify the management of benefits programs and improve the
data quality and timeliness of service to corporate employees.
The integration of the VocalPoint VoiceASP into EasyBenefits'
online network will enable employees who don't have convenient
access to the Internet to manage their benefits via any land-line
or cellular phone. For example, EasyBenefits.com users will
be able to check their current 401K investment mix, obtain
corporate vacation day policies, locate doctors and dentists,
etc. simply by using their voice instead of their computer.
Traditional means of voice access such as call centers and
Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems can take months to
implement and the costs associated with updating content can
be very costly. VocalPoint's VoiceASP allows simple,
efficient voice access to any Web site by automatically translating
existing HTML and XML text to voice without expensive content
re-purposing or maintenance of parallel systems. EasyBenefits.com
selected VocalPoint as a superior alternative to live operators,
IVR and other voice delivery systems because it offers seamless,
rapid deployment and superior cost-effectiveness.
"VocalPoint extends our Web-based human resources services
to include a voice option to customers who may not have the
time or convenience to access a computer," stated Joseph
Stone, CEO and president of EasyBenefits.com. "Our customers
often need information immediately, and VocalPoint provides
a sophisticated voice solution to enable seamless phone access
to our services. Other solutions would have been expensive
and time-consuming to implement. With VocalPoint, we can quickly
leverage our existing Web content to deliver value-added services
to our business customers."
"VocalPoint is committed to make speech technology
more accessible and usable by everyone," said Kurt Losert,
CEO of VocalPoint Technologies. "The combination of our
VoiceBrowser with the EasyBenefits network is a dynamic
solution for businesses that want to offer a high-quality
voice option as an alternative to accessing critical company
information online."
About VocalPoint Technologies
VocalPoint Technologies provides middleware, infrastructure
and services for businesses to rapidly voice-enable HTML and
XML content, making it possible to access Internet and intranet
applications using natural speech over any phone. Its voice-based
browser allows businesses to build customized voice portals
and services by integrating VocalPoints proprietary
technology into their network infrastructure, or by utilizing
VocalPoint's fully outsourced ASP (application service provider)
solution. Incorporated in 1997, the company has leveraged
its speech technology research expertise to create attractive
voice-based solutions for businesses worldwide. Headquartered
in San Francisco, Calif., VocalPoint Technologies can be reached
at www.vocalpoint.com, or by calling 415.615.0600
About EasyBenefits.com
EasyBenefits.com designs intuitive and ease-of-use software
applications that can simplify the management of benefit programs.
This new software allows employers to consolidate the expensive
management of insurance benefits, Section 125 programs, COBRA,
HIIPA and the administration of employee records. EasyHRSM
is specifically designed to address the daily needs that overburden
human resource departments. The new software is a web based
application that allows employees to get immediate answers
to questions concerning benefit plan information, enrollment
in insurance plans, information on their current benefits
and self service on routine company forms. For employers,
the new software gives tighter control of employee benefit
eligibility, reduces the number of vendors, minimizes liability
for government mandated programs and full service administration
of employee records. This is all done without the company
having to implement new hardware or software in their organization,
frees the staff from data entry and results in improved data
collection. Headquartered in Columbia, SC with an office in
Buffalo, NY, EasyBenefits can be reached at www.easybenefits.com,
or by calling 888-323-7844
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