May 1999

Perhaps if you've made it through this issue, the last thing you want to think about is receiving the next issue too soon. But technology keeps pushing forward, and CTI� is at the forefront of two rapidly changing technologies: data networking and telecommunications. Our next issue will feature several stories that look at how these two networks interact and how service providers and next-gen carriers can make the most of their convergence. Here is some of the material we have in store for you in June:

Speech Recognition - We have a couple feature articles looking at how speech recognition is being brought over to IVR platforms. One feature will run in the June issue, and the other feature will run as part of a new service brought to you by CTI� magazine called Next Month Now. Next Month Now means that you will be able to get a preview of an upcoming month's material - early! For example, our second article on speech recognition will run in May on TMCnet.com (www.tmcnet.com). This piece will provide you with one viewpoint on speech recognition - to whet your appetite, so to speak - and then the print version of CTI� will provide a separate, complementary piece.

Convergence - As circuit-switched networks converge with packet-based networks, is becomes increasingly necessary to guarantee signaling compatibility and portability of enhanced services. In the June issue, there will be a few articles discussing ways to integrate and mediate between these networks as they join together.

TMC Labs - Sci-Fi of the 1950s predicted robotic secretaries; now, CTI technologies are making "virtual assistants" come to life. Using telephone-based speech and touchtone interfaces, expert road warriors and mainstream users alike can have their e-mail read to them, receive pager and telephone notifications of messages, make calls, schedule appointments, even get news and stock updates. In June, find out about 19 such products, as examined by TMC Labs.