Interactive Northwest, Inc. and SpeechWorks Form Strategic Partnership For Speech Recognition Applications.

Business/Technology Editors

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 22, 2000

Offers SpeechWorks Solution on Lucent Conversant Platform

Interactive Northwest, Inc., a leader in specialized interactive voice response (IVR) services and deployment of speech recognition technologies, today announced that it has signed a partnership agreement with SpeechWorks International, Inc., the market leader in the telephony-based speech technology industry(1). INI and SpeechWorks will focus on building and developing large-scale, speech-enabled applications quickly and cost effectively for enterprise customers.

With the SpeechWorks(R) solution, people can use everyday language over any phone to conduct automated business transactions, bringing an end to frustrating touch-tone applications. Callers are able to book travel reservations, trade stocks, track shipments, get restaurant information and more, simply by using any phone, with naturally spoken requests. As customers demand instant information and exceptional customer service, the combination of INI and SpeechWorks' services allows companies to meet--and exceed--customer needs.

Under terms of the agreement, INI will resell SpeechWorks 6.0, including its DialogModules(TM), pre-fabricated "building blocks" for common speech interactions, with Lucent's Intuity Conversant IVR platform. By offering SpeechWorks on the popular Lucent platform, customers will benefit from two industry-leading technologies to support their applications.

"We are pleased to partner with INI to bring advanced speech applications to the market on the Lucent platform," said Steve Chambers, vice president of worldwide marketing, SpeechWorks. "As speech recognition applications become more mainstream, customers will increasingly choose vendors based on their expertise and focus. INI's expertise in deploying large scale systems, combined with SpeechWorks' focus on speech recognition and passion for exceptional user interface design, will ensure that callers hang up the phone with a smile."

According to Ron Millay, INI's director of sales, "INI believes that natural language speech recognition is the key to superior customer service. We're excited about the partnership with SpeechWorks and the avenue that it provides for enhanced solutions for customers. We view SpeechWorks as one of our strategic partners and are looking forward to an ongoing relationship."

INI's transaction-based business model provides an affordable, scalable solution that is financially attractive to businesses. With the entire speech application handled by INI and SpeechWorks, companies are free to focus resources on their core business while their customers are being well served.

About INI

Interactive Northwest, Inc. (INI) specializes in communication technology solutions and systems integration and is a nationwide provider of those solutions to the business community. As a Lucent Technologies' Conversant Independent Software Vendor (ISV), Voice Processing Co-Marketer,ASAI Call Visor PC Certified Member, and OCTEL Designer Partner with the OCTEL Messaging Division, most of our applications reside on Lucent Technologies' platforms.

INI's hard-earned reputation reflects professional UNIX and Windows development, project management, sales support, and the willingness to do whatever it takes to get the job done. Headquartered in Portland, OR with over 4,000 applications at 1,000 sites, and offices throughout the country, we provide powerful, proven solutions to companies all across North America.

INI focuses on delivering Advanced Speech Recognition, Interactive Voice Response (IVR), CTI or TSAPI Integration, call center and data utilization technologies, and Host/Server Integration solutions that vastly improve customers' operations. INI delivers technological solutions that make businesses competitive. Some examples of INI's vertical market success include applications in the K-12 and higher education market, custom applications in the high-end call center market, in addition to integrating a variety of technologies across many horizontal markets.

INI can be reached at 503.454.1400 or at http://www.interactivenw.com.

About SpeechWorks International, Inc.

Organizations worldwide rely on SpeechWorks to delight their callers and provide them with a new level of service over the phone. Complementing the self-service model of e-business, SpeechWorks(R) speech recognition solutions, including the revolutionary SpeechSite(TM) solution, let consumers direct their calls, obtain information and complete transactions automatically, simply by speaking naturally over any phone, anytime.

SpeechWorks customers include some of the world's most sophisticated customer service innovators such as Amtrak, Continental Airlines, DLJdirect, E*TRADE, FedEx, MapQuest.com, Nextlink and United Airlines. The Company offers the SpeechWorks Here(TM) Guarantee, the industry's only program that includes a money-back guarantee.

Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, with offices worldwide, SpeechWorks is a privately held corporation with financing from Bank of America Ventures, Citigroup's e-Citi Unit, GE Equity, Intel Corporation, MCI WorldCom Venture Fund, Reuters and SAP. Additional funding comes from venture capital firms including Atlas Venture, Charles River Ventures, iGate Ventures, The Intel64 Fund, QuestMark Partners and Riggs Capital. To experience the power of SpeechWorks, call toll-free: 1.888.SAY.DEMO. For additional information, call 617.428.4444 or visit http://www.speechworks.com.

SpeechWorks, SpeechWorks Here, DialogModules and SpeechSite are trademarks or registered trademarks of SpeechWorks International, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

(1) Based on Frost and Sullivan's U.S. "Telephony-based Speech Technology Software Market 2000" report.