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| Automatic Device Detection |
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ICMA (Information Communication Mid-Africa), a subsidiary of C.a.T.S.,
was the technology partner of choice for the awarding of an
Automatic Device Detection (ADD) platform to a GSM operator in Africa.
The ADD platform is a HP solution from their renowned stable of
telecommunication products.
The contract sees ICMA involved in the implementation and customization
of the platform, and also the in ongoing support of the ADD system.
Johan Grober, MD of C.a.T.S and ICMA stated: "We are very happy with the
awarding of this contract and we as a technology house are extremely
excited about the complementary power ADD has in terms of GSM elements and
IVR in particular."
Johan Grobler continued: "A simple case in point is playing data settings
to a caller on an IVR, with ADD, the device specific information can be
played to the caller, or sent to the phone. This does not only apply for
setups and configuration, but when ever new products are launched, the caller
can be there and then informed if the handset the call is being made from, is
incompatible with the new service."
ADD coupled with a powerful Text-to-Speech engine, also allows for IVR
information to be stored in text, in an easily updateable format and only
relevant information are transformed from text to speech and played to the
caller. In this manner, a myriad of recordings and the updating process are
negated and the text can easily be updated. The latest generation of
synthesized voice available on the IBM platform are superior in terms if
understandability, natural sounding and customizability.
Johan Grobler continued: "ADD is really a tool which empowers many other
network elements in terms of servicing the subscriber and also furnishing
the network operator with valuable business intelligence. We see this as a
giant leap for our offering as a technology house and really empowering ICMA
and C.a.T.S. to complement their current offering. But more than that, it also
enhances our current solutions and IVR applications."
Traditionally IVR was dependant on the information the caller supplied by DTMF
input and also what information was locked up in subscriber administration and
billing systems. Now, the IVR can also glean information from the device, and
supply the caller with customized information only pertaining to the particular
handset. IVR information can be more intuitive customized.
Johan Grobler concluded: "We are always looking for ways to break the mold of
conventional methods, and with ADD we believe we can move into a new area of
intuitive IVR."
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