Information for the Information Age

In recent years there has been an explosion in sources available for obtaining business information. Today consumers are demanding more information and services by phone whether they are on the move, in the office or at home. As part of its innovative range of speech-based capabilities, Nuance has created Nuance Voice Search: Business Categories. This provides a launch pad for customers looking for additional media and information. By simply dialing one number, the customer’s voice unlocks a gateway to personalized information about businesses and service in relevant locations.

The Nuance Difference

Traditional Directory Assistance name searches have failed to meet the needs of callers in the research phase of finding a business. Nuance Voice Search: Business Categories is different. It provides callers with the ability to find a type of business dialing the same number they use for name searches.

For example, a caller may wish to find a number for their nearest Italian restaurant. By calling one number, they can choose the restaurant, hear reviews about the food, receive live driving directions to find it and check the weather conditions in the area. The service can also tell them if that restaurant is running any promotions. All the information is delivered in natural language, using Nuance’s voice user interface.

The solution delivers benefits for the caller, the hosting company and the participating restaurant. The caller has easy and immediate access to personalized, current and comprehensive information, using the same number they use for name searches. The company builds customer satisfaction while also having the opportunity to develop new revenue streams by linking the solution to advertising or coupons relevant to the caller. Finally, the restaurant benefits from finding new customers using a highly targeted, cost-effective marketing tool.

Nuance Voice Search: Business Categories revolutionizes they way in which consumers can access information about businesses, where they need it most, 24 hours a day, simply through voice.

Key Benefits of Nuance Business Category Search:

• Category search
  partial search or full search. Supporting flexible business models, full category search capability is available, allowing the application to search for and present listings in a particular category. Also supports delivering relevant information about the category requested and the user attributes to an advertiser engine.
• Configurable, flexible, and compelling VUI
  Leveraging Nuance’s voice user interface (VUI) experience, Nuance Voice Search: BC provides a compelling interaction for callers by incorporating natural language with seamless interface to additional applications. Nuance Voice Search: BC’s configurable VUI creates awareness and education of category search availability.
• Expanded locality searching
  When a relevant business is not available in the locality the caller requests, Nuance Voice Search: BC allows optional expanded locality searching to ensure the caller can locate an appropriate business even if it falls outside the requested area. Particularly useful if the caller is unsure of the locality or if a nearby locality is acceptable for the service the caller wants.
• Point of interest (POI) searching
  Point of interest searching allows a caller to conduct a search using more narrow location terminology, such as a street, neighborhood, or a particular landmark. Particularly useful for callers trying to get somewhere, POI makes finding a nearby business easy for the caller.
• Seamless access to additional applications that drive usage
  Offering several businesses within a category allows presentation of additional information about the business like hours of operation, additional functionality for the caller like driving directions, and opportunities for relevant advertising, like coupons or discounts. The Nuance Voice Search: BC framework provides easy integration for these features fast, delighting callers and contributing to revenue.
• Personalization
  Identify caller attributes (e.g., male wireline caller frequently searches for restaurants) relevant to the applications you offer the caller or the advertisements you play, Nuance Voice Search: BC ensures that callers come back for more.
• Configurable business rules for business listing presentation
  Nuance Voice Search: BC provides flexibility to present business information differently based on business models, including interfacing with an advertiser engine to determine which businesses to present.