San Mateo, 5 December 2005 – The World Economic Forum today announced 36 Technology Pioneers for 2006. VoiceObjects has been selected as one of these Technology Pioneers. With its server-based management software, the company finally takes voice-controlled telephone self-services into the Internet era.
Technology Pioneers are companies that have been identified as developing and applying highly transformational and innovative technologies in the areas of energy, biotechnology and health, and information technology. This year’s class of companies has been selected not only because of the cutting-edge work undertaken by the organizations, but also because their work has potential long-term impact on business and society.
In line with the Forum’s commitment to improving the state of the world, the Technology Pioneers program was established in 2000 to provide a new perspective on technological change. The program is run by the World Economic Forum with Apax Partners and Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu as Strategic Partners. Through its Technology Pioneers program, the Forum identifies and integrates those companies around the world that are involved in the design and development of new technologies. Each innovation, whether it has large or small consequences, is another step in society's attempt to harness, adapt and utilize technology to change and improve our world. The World Economic Forum is invested in monitoring and highlighting these innovations and exploring possible societal repercussions.
“The creative innovations produced by our Technology Pioneers hold the promise of significantly affecting the way business and society operate”, said Peter Torreele, Managing Director of the World Economic Forum. “As a global knowledge hub, we see the Technology Pioneer community as key contributors to this dialogue and to the mission of the World Economic Forum.”
Information on the Technology Pioneer: One of this year's Technology Pioneers is Karl-Heinz Land, founder and Executive Vice President of VoiceObjects. The company has developed the world’s leading management system for the fast and easy provision of voice-controlled telephone services. Using web technology, the software helps companies to provide customers and employees with convenient services while allowing them to efficiently operate their applications and to keep a tight rein on costs. Thanks to a so-called voice application server, the system generates individual dialogues for each caller. Just like modern Internet applications, the software enables sophisticated, even personalized telephone services with unrivaled utility and user-friendliness.
Quote from Executive: “We are honored that our server-based approach to manage voice applications has been recognized by the World Economic Forum,” said Karl-Heinz Land, founder of VoiceObjects. “I will gladly take advantage of my role as Technology Pioneer to show the public that telephone self-services finally have arrived in the Internet era. The new generation of voice applications enables profitable business models such as voice commerce or voice-controlled multimedia services based on 3G cellular networks. I am looking forward to discussing how companies are able to dramatically improve customer service and to increase the productivity of mobile workforce by offering added value self-services on voice portals.”
Each year, members, constituents and collaborators of the World Economic Forum nominate Technology Pioneers. The criteria for selection include:
- Innovation. The company’s technology must be truly innovative. A new version or repackaging of an already well-accepted technological solution does not qualify as an innovation. The innovation should be recent – not more than two years old. The company should invest significantly in R&D
- Potential Impact. This company’s technology must have the potential to have a substantial long-term impact on business and society in the future.
- Growth and Sustainability. The company should have all the signs of a long-term market leader and should have well-formulated plans for future development and growth.
- Proof of Concept. The company must have a product on the market or have proven practical applications of the technology. Companies in “stealth” mode and companies with untested ideas or models will not qualify.
- Leadership. The company must have visionary leadership that plays a critical role in driving the company towards reaching its goals.
- Status. The company must not currently be a Member of the World Economic Forum. This criterion applies to the parent company – thus wholly-owned subsidiaries of large firms are not eligible.
Nominees are evaluated by an external review committee comprised of technology experts with respect to the criteria above.
