Wednesday March 19 8:00 AM EDT

Centigram's TruVoice text-to-speech client/server software development kit

now available for Sun Solaris platform

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 19, 1997-- Centigram

Communications Corp , a leading global provider of wireless and wireline

communications solutions, today announced that TruVoice, its patented

industry-leading text-to-speech (TTS) converter technology, is available in

a software development kit (SDK) in a client/server architecture for Sun

Solaris versions 2.4 and later.

This kit allows developers to build TTS servers that will add value to

different applications, such as automated directory assistance and servers

that host a speech-enabled web site. In addition to natural, high-quality

speech output and powerful intelligent text preprocessing, Centigram offers

developers the benefits of distributed processing. The client/server

architecture reduces the CPU usage on the client by allowing the server

portion of the program to run on a different computer when desired. This

reduces CPU usage on any one machine, maximizing server resources without

incurring additional hardware costs.

Other benefits include thin client implementations, easy porting to

multiple client platforms and multiple level dictionaries for custom

pronunciation. TruVoice provides five languages for client applications in

English, Spanish, French, Italian and German.

"Making TruVoice available in a client/server version for Solaris further

expands the variety of platforms on which developers can use TruVoice,"

said Dana Hooper, Centigram Technology Business Unit general manager.

"Because of the ease of development with TruVoice, customers can enter

markets faster and at a lower cost."

TruVoice features advanced intelligence that includes context-sensitive

rules for correctly reading data from spreadsheets, address book

applications, electronic mail messages, and faxes. The rules eliminate

time-consuming editing before the text can be read accurately in these

applications. The preprocessor also strips out unwanted header information

in email messages and appropriately expands multi-function punctuation,

ambiguous abbreviations, non- standard abbreviations, and multiple date and

time formats. Other recent enhancements include improvement of the voice

quality and new voices (8 male, 2 female) across all available languages.

The TruVoice client/server SDK for Sun Solaris is available for $1,295 from

Centigram by calling 800/746-1632. It comes with the application program

interface (API), a shrink-wrapped software license agreement and the

TruVoice software, as well as 90 days of technical support. An interactive

demonstration of TruVoice is available on the company's World Wide Web site

at www.centigram.com .

Centigram's Technology Business Unit (TBU) develops and markets TruVoice,

its patented TTS software. In addition to applications throughout the

commercial computer telephony marketplace, TruVoice is used in other

cutting-edge applications, including Microsoft Phone, a software-only

speakerphone and answering machine; and Group Sense, Ltd.'s hand-held

translation dictionaries. Centigram's TBU also has licensing agreements

with Dialogic, Natural Microsystems, Dragon Systems Inc., Intervoice AST

Computers, and others. An interactive demonstration of TruVoice is

available on the World Wide Web site www.truvoice.com .

Centigram Communicatinos Corporation

Centigram Communications Corporation, headquartered in San Jose, Calif., is

a leading global provider of messaging and communications solutions.

Centigram licenses TruVoice and delivers communications solutions by

integrating voice, data and facsimile; and by providing access to this

multimedia information through a telephone or PC. Centigram is located at

91 East Tasman Drive, San Jose, Calif. 95134. Phone 408/944-0250, Fax

408/428-3732, World Wide Web http://www.centigram.com .

Centigram and TruVoice are registered trademarks of Centigram

Communications Corporation.

CONTACT: Centigram Communications Corp.

Dan Spalding, 408/428-3559

dan.spalding@centigram.com

Miller/Shandwick Technologies

Robin Foster/Lisa Kelaita, 415/962-9550

rfoster/lkelaita@miller.shandwick.com

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