Testing Voice Recognition Software

(FSB Magazine) Brooklyn -- Many business owners regularly talk to inanimate objects. Don't believe me? I'm guessing that in the last week alone you've begged your PC not to lose valuable data or implored your notebook to recover lost documents. While we all have one-sided conversations with our tech toys, we generally don't expect them to answer, much less complete tasks simply because we say so. But today's voice-activated software promises to do just that, claiming faster speeds and an impressive 99% accuracy level.
Several years ago I fell and permanently injured the nerves in my right hand, so too much keyboard time can literally cramp my style. Hoping to ease the strain, I recently tested the latest versions of three popular voice-recognition software packages: Dragon NaturallySpeaking Professional 9 ($899), IBM ViaVoice Pro USB Edition, version 10 ($189.99), and the speech-recognition software included in the Ultimate version of Microsoft's new Vista operating system ($399). I tried all three systems on notebooks and desktops running various versions of Windows XP's small-business edition. I used them for everything from dictating e-mail to composing formal marketing pitches. Each system started easily at the click of an icon. But before they would follow my orders, I had to teach them my speech patterns by reading several scripts that appeared onscreen.

While I was generally impressed with their ease of use, I had to be vigilant about the results. Programs would sometimes slow down or speed up, resulting in repetitions as well as missed words. Punctuation was tricky; you need to say "period" at the end of a sentence. And I'm still wondering about the accuracy of those accuracy claims, because each system on occasion offered inventive substitutions for my actual words. ("Melody" became "nullity," and "man" transmogrified to "math," "Matt," and more.) Full disclosure: I admit to deriving a certain childish pleasure from testing - okay, tormenting - my would-be assistants by singing or using off-color language. Confronted with my favorite four-letter expletive, all three applications responded with prim substitutions such as "Oh, flock."

Dragon NaturallySpeaking Professional 9 (nuance.com/naturallyspeaking), which ships with an Andrea noise-canceling headset, is the latest incarnation of the Nuance desktop speech-recognition software formerly known as ScanSoft. The new version features an appealing interface (who doesn't love dragon icons?) and includes a cheat sheet with the most common commands. Dragon allowed me to choose between two narrator voices (I nicknamed them Computer Lady and Earnest Guy), which provided clear instructions. I was told to speak slowly and carefully, like a TV anchor reading the nightly news.

IBM's ViaVoice application (nuance.com/viavoice) came with a simple setup disc, plus British and American English options. ViaVoice ships with the same headset as Dragon, along with a USB connector. Despite initial compatibility issues, I set up the software in less than an hour, and the cheat sheet helped with basic commands. But ViaVoice was slower to establish voice patterns than either of its competitors. It also featured the most irritating icon of all the applications that I tested. Woodrow, the talking pencil? I mean, really. After ten seconds of Woodrow's virtual company, I was tempted to snap the little flock.

Vista's speech-recognition software was the easiest application to set up, although it provided no tips or tricks. Vista picked up most of my slang and intentional mispronunciations. But it seemed to work better with an external headset microphone than with the internal one in my Vaio notebook. Worse, I have so far been unable to banish the software from my desktop If forced to choose a favorite, I'd probably pick ViaVoice (Woodrow notwithstanding) for its excellent dummy-proofing. Still, I think any of the applications could be a gift to entrepreneurs with repetitive-stress disorders, arthritis, or impaired vision, as well as users who are strapped for time or who type more slowly than they speak.

I got an interesting article from CNN.com to share with you guys. I personally think that voice recognition system will be the next issue for the IT development. Not only recognizing simple talks, which we can experience in car navigation and cell phone's voice recognization program, but also in near future, we might be able to use the internet without using the keyboard. Interesting huh? Share some ideas with me.

The End of Corporate Computing

Nicholas G. Carr suggest us very interesting subject continuously as IT doesn't matter article subject.

Utility Computing means Firms buy computing service provided by large-scale data processing centers as similiar to Firms buy electrical utility.

I agree to Carr's opinion that the utility computing or hosting form service are generalized in the future and utility computing may attribute firm's cost saving.

But, I don't think utility computing substitute everything. Perhaps small and medium enterprises use it to some degree, a large enterprises needs seroious consideration because of network efficiency or cost in some view. Some large enterprises can operate their application cost-effectively compare to utility computing. If not, large enterprises may selects outsourcing. None the less large enterprises will invest utility computing with strictly controlling method. For example, our company(as it called "One of Jaebul" in Korea) have strong SI subsidiary. but, we invest almost all self-computing now.

I think the overcoming issue of utility computing service providers is that individual firm's circumstances are very various and enterprises security issues.

IT Doesn't Matter.

In a summary this article,
As the commoditization of IT, the opportunities for gaining strategic advantage from IT are rapidly disappearing. As a result many companies just waste their money for IT just following with their competitor.
Now is time to say how they invest in IT and manage their system.

And Writer recommend 3 rules for effective IT Management.
1.Spend less 2.Follow, don’t lead 3.Focus on vulnerabilities, not opportunities.

Of course, I agree with writer somewhat – Company needs to invest in their IT more effectively – but we also consider that IT still have many potential opportunities for creating many new business models like WIBRO, RFID and so on.

From IT, We can make our company to the Microsoft.

IT Doesn't Matter - I don't think so.

I'm read Nicholas Carr's article. It draw me interest with some viewpoint.
He asserted that IT gradually have change to commodity something like railways or electric power. So he has an opinion IT doesn't matter any more. Why? Carr based on the commoditization of IT and building IT infra cheaply than before. He has written therefore IT now don't provide competitive advantage.

At that moment I remember 'M' of MIS. Why 'M' ?
I have seen some IT company during my work circumstances. With my experiances I think that the important things are Process and People dealing with IT/IS. Really important thing is building something using those technology by management.
So I agreed professor's teaching in class that competitive advantage derives not from the technology, but on how businesss use the technology.

But, I think that Carr provided us attention at different aspect. How our company's IT contribute to competitive advanteges and differenciation to other company. Yes? or No?

Hotel loyalty programs become competitive weapons

Using personal datas are very usual in these days. Especially in service areas, data managing is critical for one's survival. In fact, using an ordinary data system is not an advantage for the hotel companies anymore. OnQ customer information system, which is made by Hilton Hotel, is the example for the Hilton's recent success. Not only in data system. It Includes property management system, reservation system, revenue management system and supports Hilton's e-commerce site.

However, the most important fact that I have noticed from recent Hotel's service is that they also care about customer's small habits. It might seem little bit out from this story, but I have heard that the Ritz Carlton's success comes from the severe individual data caring system that really cares about small things. They put all kind of customer's complainments in its data system, and whenever the customer visits the hotel next time, the room has been customized as what customer wants. For example, if there was a customer who ordered an aspirin pill since the he or she forgot to bring it, the manager inputs this data in to the data system and surprisingly, the aspiring will be on the table at your next visit also.

I think the Hotel's loyalty program is the competitive weapon that can be distinguished from other hotels in these days. By developing better data program, customer will be more loyal to their favorous hotels.

The 7 habbits of effective technology leaders

Following are the 7 habits for highly effective technology leaders.1. Focus on business models and processes before they focus on technology infrastructure or application.2. Track technology that matters by focusing on the distinction between operational and strategic tecnology and the chasm between technology concepts, prototypes, and bona fide technology clusters.3. Identify and prioritize business pain - and approaches to pain relief - as they move toward the creation of business pleasure.4. Optimize the value of shared services in centralized and decentralized companies, and they organize around the distinction between operational and strategic technology. Technology leaders also champion governance above and below the operational and strategic line.5. Manage computing and communications infrastructure professionally and cost-effectively through negotiated service-level agreements (SLAs) and measurement best practices.6. Communicate often and predictably; leaders communicate good news and bad ness in business terms and provide transparent insight into technology initiatives through tools like dashboards.7. Actively market their roles in the company as well as technology's ongoing contribution to the business through a variety of tools and techniques.

IT doesn't matter

IT's potency and ubiquity have increased.-The core functions of IT - data storage, data processing, and data transport.IT is highly replicable.-Technical standardization, dooms most proprietary application sto economic obsolescence.Several signs tha tthe IT buildout is much closer to its end than its beginning.1 .IT's power is outstripping most of the business needs it fulfills.2 .The price of essential IT functionality has dropped to the point where it is more or less affordable to all.3. The capacity of the universal distribution network(the internet)has caught up with demand indeed, we are already have considerably more fiber-optic capacity than we need.4. IT vendors are rushing to position themselves as commodity suppliers or even as utilities.5. The investment bubble has burst, which historically has been a clear indication that an infrastructural technology is reaching the end of its build out.

Although the writer is negative about the future development of IT technology, it seems that there are many other niche markets which IT related companies are digging. For example, the new era of web2.0 might able to explain this kind of situation.

Hotel Loyalty Program & Mass Customization

Like 'OnQ' loyalty program of Hilton hotel , Ritz Calton Hotel practices Transparent Mass Customization(MC). Transparent Mass Customization means method to supply extroordinary products or services without expose to individuals customer.

Mass Customization calls for flexibility and quick responsiveness. In an ever-changing enviroment, people, process, units, and technology reconfigure to give customers exactly what they want.
Managers coordinate independent, capable individuals, and an efficient linkage system is crucial. Result is low -cost, high-quality, customized goods and services.

I think that the needs for individual-customization have been persistent for a long time.
(ex, household-industry or Job shop process is 100% customized things) , then consumers buy products cheaply by mass production (that is, standadized products) , now MC are capable by Production Technique & Information Technology. And I think cyber world "Second Life" is above all results by Mass Customization & Personalization.

Hotel Loyalty Programs

These days, there are many frequent-guest programs around consumers especially air-line companies, hotel and credit card companies, and a lot of companies which would like to introduce similar programs have increased until now.

In aspect of companies side, it could collect a wide data(name, address, phone numbers and consumer behavior etc.,) of customers. Through that information, companies could analyze customers behavior and develop the product as his like. Companies could also divide segmentation and use target marketing for efficiency by informations.

Hilton Hotel chain is a good model company which is using frequent-guest program. The hotel spent 50 million dollars on a customer information system and has collected more than 7.5 million profiles of active guest. The hotel also shares the information to it's owned and franchisees hotel for synergy. The information is used not only monitor current market, forecast demand but also promote to act on guest create a bond of loyalty. It helps to find out the preferences of guest easier and faster, therefore guest can get more comfortable stay. These system avails that Hilton hotel could increase the rate of staying at its hotel instead of rivals to 61% from 41%.

For the IT has developed, it is easier that storage and analysis of collected customers information. However we have to recognize IT can be a double-edged sword. It is Privacy problems which is hidden back to benefit of IT.

KIA solve its quality problem

I read 'Information systems help KIA solve its quality problem'

Kia had information of defects already. But separated information in different systems were useless to help KIA solve its quality problem.

KIA stored the data in a single place & could analyze them. managers are able to analyze the data by daily, weekly or monthly reporting periods and by specific car models, model years, and component.

KIA's quality has improved. In quality rankings released on May 18, 2005, J.D.Power reported that KIA 1.40 problems per vehicle, finishing second for quality in the compact-car category behind the Toyota Prius.

KIA's new defect-reporting system could not only decrease defects of KIA's car but also lower cost & increase KIA's brand.