Avaya Intelligent Communications Extend Learning Beyond Museum Walls at Liberty Science Center
Speech technology fulfills Center's 'Science Now, Science Everywhere' mission
- Expanded communications network supports staff members on the move
BASKING RIDGE, N.J., July 9 / - When Jersey City's Liberty Science Center reopens next week after a 22-month, $109 million upgrade, visitors will experience the benefits of new intelligent communications capabilities from Avaya Inc. (NYSE:AV), a leading global provider of business communications applications, systems and services. Avaya speech technology will help expand learning beyond the museum's walls as part of the Center's new "Science Now, Science Everywhere" initiative.
Visitors will be able to use cell phones, PDAs and other personal communication devices to interact with exhibits and learn anywhere, at any time. They will be able to retrieve and download supplementary information and commentary, vote in museum polls and even contribute additional information of their own. For example, the museum's "Communication: Leave Your Mark" exhibit uses text messages, pictures and video clips contributed by guests to capture what they are thinking, feeling and doing in the moment.
"We're looking for ways to extend the learning experience," said Barbara Macecsko, CIO, Liberty Science Center. "Studies show that nearly nine out of 10 visitors to our facility have a cell phone or other communication device. Now, we're able to use those phones to deliver science content both inside and outside the museum over cellular, Wi-Fi or land-based networks."
The museum's new interactive capabilities are based on the award-winning Avaya Voice Portal, a software platform used to speech-enable applications across an enterprise. Avaya DeveloperConnection member Gold Systems created a speech recognition interface for the Portal that allows museum guests to use spoken commands to access additional levels of information. The interface incorporates speech recognition software from Nuance Communications (NUAN), also an Avaya DeveloperConnection member.
Using Avaya Dialog Designer, a standards-based development tool, Liberty Science Center can quickly and easily program the Avaya Voice Portal as new exhibits are added or existing exhibits are changed. Web Services wizards make it simple to accomplish a variety of tasks -- from integrating applications and databases to recording phrases and building new prompts.
Broader communication capabilities for the museum staff
As a part of its expansion project, Liberty Science Center also is upgrading the Avaya communications infrastructure supporting the museum's staff. Avaya Platinum BusinessPartner Empire Technologies designed an expanded solution using the latest version of Avaya Communication Manager IP telephony software and Avaya media servers. The underlying converged network is based on secure, high-capacity switches from Extreme Networks. Wireless Avaya IP phones will be used by exhibit staff and the museum's technical team so they can stay in touch with colleagues and guests from anywhere in the facility.
"With new interactive communications capabilities for our exhibits and mobile communications capabilities for our staff, we hope to redefine the service we deliver to the thousands of guests who visit our facility each year," Macecsko said. "The investments we've made also give us a great foundation for the future - allowing us to explore automated ticketing and other capabilities that can further streamline our operations and improve service."
About Avaya
Avaya delivers Intelligent Communications solutions that help companies transform their businesses to achieve marketplace advantage. More than 1 million businesses worldwide, including more than 90 percent of the FORTUNE 500®, use Avaya solutions for IP Telephony, Unified Communications, Contact Centers and Communications-Enabled Business Processes. Avaya Global Services provides comprehensive service and support for companies, small to large. For more information visit the Avaya Web site: http://www.avaya.com/.
About Empire Technologies
Empire Technologies is a nationally recognized Avaya Platinum Business Partner managing communications networks for small and large enterprises throughout the country. From its small roots in 1995, Empire has emerged as a leader among the business partner community, providing inspired solutions that improve business communications. Empire helps customers leverage existing and new networks to achieve superior business results. For more information about Empire Technologies, call 1-888-711-5200 or visit online at http://www.getempire.com/.
FCMN Contact: klined@avaya.com
Source: Avaya Inc.
CONTACT: Deb Kline, Media Relations, +1-908-953-6179, klined@avaya.com, or Matt Booher
Web site: http://www.avaya.com/
http://www.getempire.com/
