New Information Services eXtended -ISx- Platform Expands Directory Assistance for Mobile Callers;...

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 22, 2001

Information Services eXtended (ISx, Inc.) announced today ISx4, the new version of its directory assistance (DA) platform. New ISx4 workstation capabilities equip directory assistance agents to deliver enhanced services. Speech-recognition automation is fully integrated with the ISx4 platform, for added efficiency, as well as an XML-based Web application for Internet access.

"Deregulation and new business structures are transforming directory services to focus on revenue and customer service," says Ed Downs, chief executive officer, ISx, Inc. "The ISx4 platform serves the primary need of telephone service providers and call centers to perform very fast searches and efficient service to callers, and now has been enhanced for new, revenue-generating directory assistance services."

Call Automation fully integrates speech recognition access to listings with the operator call center platform, and works with the customer's preferred speech recognition engine. The benefits of Call Automation extend beyond the requests that are fully automated and handled without any agent work time. For example, when an automated search produces multiple listings, the call is routed to an agent and the search results are delivered to that agent's workstation screen for further qualification to select the correct listing.

At the heart of the improvements in ISx4 is integration with the Internet. Web Access to Listing Information creates customized XML-based Web interfaces to directory assistance, and adapts to wireless protocols. Enhanced Services Access Feature provides controlled access to Internet-format content such as weather and traffic, letting agents alternate quickly between Internet content and standard directory assistance searches.

With ISx Business Category search tools, agents can help callers find an Italian restaurant near a hotel, or an auto repair shop that offers towing. "These services are particularly popular with travelers and mobile callers," Mr. Downs explains. "Services for wireless callers are growing, because they value the information, and are willing to pay for directory assistance."

The Centralized Directory Management Facility provides robust relational database tools for managing the expanding number of listings - wireless, pagers, faxes, email addresses and URLs - as well as standardizing listing data from multiple telecom providers.

About ISx, Inc.

For more than 20 years, the ISx platform has been the world leader in directory assistance software, and now ISx4 provides state-of-the-art capability for serving for wireless callers. With a strong record of technological and service excellence, ISx, Inc. (www.isxinc.com) serves customers in North and South America, Europe, Australia and the Pacific Rim.