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Wizzard Software Continues to Grow Speech Offerings with Addition of IBM TTS for Linux PITTSBURGH --(Business Wire)-- July 13, 2004 -- Wizzard Software (OTCBB:WIZD) announced today they have added IBM TTS for Linux to their growing portfolio of licensable speech technologies. This new addition to the Wizzard family of offerings allows computerized text to be spoken "out-loud" while running in the Linux operating system environment. Users can utilize the TTS for a wide variety of tasks including having letters, instant messages and e-mails read out-loud and to help verbally guide visitors through web sites. In addition to assisting visually-impaired and mobility-impaired users on Linux it can make standard desktop programs more user-friendly for longer working baby boomers dealing with vision, hearing and mobility issues."We are please to be able to bring to market a Linux version of IBM's text-to-speech engine that had previously only been available for the Microsoft Windows and Apple Macintosh platforms," said Rich Schwerdtfeger, chairman of IBM's Accessibility Architecture Review Board. "We are happy to be able to strengthen our partnership with Wizzard and look forward to continue working with them making technology accessible for all communities." Linux has been in place on network servers of federal agencies for sometime and it is now increasingly being incorporated into desktop PC's, according to a study performed on Linux by USA Today. Some of the reasons cited for the increase in Linux desktop popularity included: 1. Can be deployed using existing hardware 2. Less frequently targeted by hackers and others looking to exploit security gaps 3. Its design makes it less vulnerable to security risks than other operating systems Furthermore, market research group International Data Corporation (IDC) recently released figures of a 43 percent year-over-year growth of the Linux thin client users in the fourth quarter of 2003. The IDC also reports that Linux now holds about 23 percent of the worldwide market for the operating systems used to run large server computers. IDC is projecting that the server market will grow by a compound annual growth rate of 3.8 percent between 2004 and 2008, to $60.8 billion, with Linux-based servers to comprise about 29 percent of shipments in 2008 and about $9.7 billion, or 16 percent, in sales. "In response to market demand we can now offer IBM TTS for Linux in 13 languages to Linux Developers and Enterprise customers that meet OEM terms and minimum order requirements," says Bruce Phifer, Wizzard's General Manager of Technologies and Services Division. "This offering responds to requests for a low priced Linux based TTS product and targets the growing Accessibility segment and other markets where highly intelligible voice output is required from a low cost, small footprint engine." About Wizzard Software Founded in 1996, Wizzard Software has become a leader in the speech technology application development market. Wizzard architects solutions to business problems using its expertise in consulting, speech development tools and building speech based applications for the Desktop and Internet. Wizzard has achieved global recognition because of its expertise with voice communication whether it is via PC or telephone. Wizzard's successes have lead to expanding opportunities in both the government and commercial sectors. In April of 2004, Wizzard acquired MedivoxRx Technologies. Founded in 2000, MedivoxRx is the originator of "Rex", the talking prescription pill bottle, which "talks" to the patient allowing them to distinguish what type of medication is in the bottle and hear critical information on dosage amounts and refill parameters. Additional information on MedivoxRx can be found at www.rxtalks.com. More information on Wizzard Software can be found in the Investor's Corner www.wizzardsoftware.com. Legal Notice Legal Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: "Forward-looking Statements" as defined in the Private Securities litigation Reform Act of 1995 may be included in this news release. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance. These statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual future results or events. We disclaim any intention or obligation to revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. There are important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to risks associated with changes in general economic and business conditions, actions of our competitors, the extent to which we are able to develop new services and markets for our services, the time and expense involved in such development activities, the level of demand and market acceptance of our services, changes in our business strategies and acts of terror against the United States. |
