Nuance launches new voice biometric software, expands capabilities

Published 1 February 2011

Last week Nuance Communications launched new versions of its VocalPassword and FreeSpeech programs; drawing on the technological expertise of PerSay, a voice biometrics company that it recently acquired, these programs feature increased accuracy, greater security, and better identity theft protection; Nuance is one of the world’s largest biometrics company with a market cap of nearly $5.5 billion

Last week Nuance Communications, Inc. released a new version of its VocalPassword and FreeSpeech programs, which act as the foundational software for much of the world’s vocal biometric devices.

VocalPassword is a biometric software that can identify a speaker’s voice regardless of language or accent. The program verifies the speaker by comparing the spoken password against a previously recorded pass phrase that is stored in the system’s database.

Rather than focusing on a specific pass phrase, FreeSpeech identifies an individual during a conversation. In particular, FreeSpeech has been employed by many financial institutions seeking to provide secure remote transactions. The software verifies the identity of a caller in the background as they speak with an agent at a call center.

Version 7.0, released 27 January 2011, of both VocalPassword andFreeSpeech draw heavily on the technology and capabilities of PerSay, a company that specializes in voice biometrics that Nuance Communications recently acquired.

The new software features increased accuracy in voice identification, identity theft detection by sensing voice phishing, and more sophisticated encryption mechanisms.

Dan Faulkner, Nuance Communications’ vice president of product management and marketing, said, “The combination of Nuance and PerSay is exciting for us, as we are now able to deliver the next generation of secure voice biometrics solutions, the first of many to the market.”

The acquisition of PerSay has bolstered Nuance Communications already extensive line of biometric solutions.

“By acquiring PerSay, Nuance has gained significant technology assets, bolstering its own capabilities to deliver solutions that ensure a personalized and secure user experience,” said Ryan Joe, associate analyst at Ovum Research.

As for PerSay, according to Dan Miller, an analyst at Opus Research, its merger with Nuance assuages its customers’ concerns about its size and long-term ability to “stay in service for decades to come.” The merger with Nuance provides consumers with “a greater sense of security.”

Nuance is one of the largest companies specializing in biometrics with a market cap of nearly $5.5 billion.