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Type of feature
VoiceXML is an optional feature.
About VoiceXML
The VoiceXML (Voice Extensible Markup Language) feature provides another language with which to write IVR applications for the Avaya IR system. VoiceXML brings the power of Web development and content delivery to IVR applications. VoiceXML is a standardized scripting language that is similar to HTML. However, instead of using a graphical browser to interact with users, as HTML does, VoiceXML uses a voice browser.
The VoiceXML interpreter is the heart of the voice browser. It provides the functionality for parsing and processing the VoiceXML documents. It also provides the interface with the IVR platform and the Web. The voice browser enables VoiceXML applications to perform many IVR functions, such as:
In R2.0, the IR system provides only one VoiceXML interpreter software package. The AVvoicxml2-0 package enforces compliance with the VoiceXML 2.0 specification, dated March 16, 2004, and should be used with VoiceXML applications that have been written to comply with that version of the specification. To create and deploy VoiceXML applications for the AVvoicxml2-0 package, Avaya recommends that you use IVR Designer 5.3 and Dialog Designer 3.0.12. Avaya Speech Applications Builder Release 1.3 or later cannot be used to create VoiceXML applications for R2.0.
Beginning with Release 1.2.1, VoiceXML applications can be made more secure by using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology. SSL is a protocol designed to allow the secure transmission of data over the Internet. It works by using a private key to encrypt data transmitted using the SSL connection. For companies desiring to use VoiceXML applications to request and send sensitive data, such as user account numbers or credit card numbers, SSL allows them to do this securely and safely.
For Release 1.3, the Avaya IR system provides two VoiceXML interpreter software packages. The AVvoicxml2-0 package enforces compliance with the VoiceXML 2.0 specification, dated March 16, 2004, and should be used with VoiceXML applications that have been written to comply with that version of the specification. To create and deploy VoiceXML applications for the AVvoicxml2-0 package, Avaya recommends that you use Avaya Speech Applications Builder Release 1.3 or later. The AVvoicxml package is backward compatible with existing R1.2.1 VoiceXML applications. The AVvoicxml package supports the VoiceXML 2.0 specification, dated April 24, 2002, with a few exceptions, which are listed in Unsupported features of the VoiceXML 2.0 specification for the AVvoicxml package.
Like TAS applications, VoiceXML applications can be enabled with speech recognition and TTS, with the following limitations:
For dynamic speech, that is, speech that converts information from a database, the Proxy Text-to-Speech (PTTS) feature is highly recommended. (The Enhanced Basic Speech feature can be used for dynamic speech in TAS applications, but not in VXML applications.) For more information on PTTS, see Proxy Text-to-Speech (PTTS).
VoiceXML is integrated into the IVR Designer development environment. See Avaya IVR Designer for VXML Help for more information.
In IR R2.0, all VoiceXML applications are 2.0 compliant. IR R2.0 interfaces with the Avaya Voice Browser (AVB), to execute Voice XML applications. Support for select VoiceXML 2.1 tags have also been introduced. See Avaya IVR Designer for VXML Help for more information.
You will have to make certain modifications to your existing VoiceXML applications that do not comply with VoiceXML 2.0 specifications. This is because the IR system provides only one VoiceXML interpreter software package and the AVvoicxml2-0 package enforces compliance with the VoiceXML 2.0 specifications. See New VoiceXML capabilities for the AVvoicxml2-0 package and New VoiceXML capabilities for the AVvoicxml2-0 package that may affect customer applications for more information.
Software requirements
The VoiceXML feature requires the following software:
Application development considerations
IVR Designer includes the capability to create VoiceXML applications.
