ateb, Inc. Partners with SpeechWorks to Bring Speech Solutions to Retailers.

Business Editors, High Tech Writers

RALEIGH, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 23, 2001

ateb, Inc., a premier developer of quality Interactive Voice Response (IVR) solutions, announced its partnership with SpeechWorks International, Inc. (NASDAQ:SPWX), a leader in speech technology, to integrate SpeechWorks 6.5(R) speech recognition engine with ateb's solutions.

The partnership will offer speech solutions to a variety of retail markets, including automotive services, fast food and restaurants, mass merchandisers, home improvement, grocery and convenience, pharmacy, department, and specialty stores.

"ateb views this opportunity with SpeechWorks as a very positive venture that supports our company mission: providing innovative ways to apply unique technology to improve the operations of our customers," said Frank Sheppard, ateb's president and CEO.

"Speech-enabled solutions can provide retailers with a cost-effective means to stay in touch with their customers while providing them with a valuable service such as reminders to refill prescriptions and the ability to place orders any time of day from anywhere," said Steve Chambers, vice president of worldwide marketing for SpeechWorks.

About ateb, Inc.

ateb, Inc. is a privately held software company that develops and integrates scalable IT solutions. ateb is a leading developer of quality IVR (Interactive Voice Response) solutions. ateb is based in Raleigh, North Carolina. For more information, visit www.ateb.com or call 919.872.1275.

About SpeechWorks International, Inc.

Organizations worldwide rely on SpeechWorks (NASDAQ:SPWX) 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 speech solutions, including the revolutionary SpeechSite(TM) product, Speechify(TM) text-to-speech engine and the SpeechSecure(TM) authentication module, let customers 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 America Online, Continental Airlines, CSFB, and Microsoft. The Company offers the SpeechWorks Here(TM) Guarantee, the industry's only program that includes a money-back guarantee. SpeechWorks strategic partners include leading corporations such as AT&T, Avaya, Dialogic, an Intel company, InterVoice-Brite, NetByTel and Net2Phone.

SpeechWorks is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts and has offices around the world. For additional information, call 617.428.4444 or visit www.speechworks.com.

SpeechWorks, Speechify, SpeechSecure, SpeechWorks Here 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.