Angel.com and Skype Bring IVR Solutions to More Than 94 Million Skype Users Worldwide
Skype Users Gain Access to Angel.comâ??s Online Toolkit to Build and Deploy Interactive Voice Services
McLean, Va. (April 26, 2006) –
Angel.com, a leading provider of on-demand call center and Interactive Voice Response (IVR) solutions and a division of MicroStrategy® Incorporated (NASDAQ: MSTR), today announced a new strategic alliance with Skype(TM), the global Internet communications company.
The alliance will provide Skype users worldwide with access to Angel.com to quickly and easily create and manage speech-enabled IVR applications. For example, business owners who rely on Skype for Internet calling can now add speech-enabled automation services to manage tasks such as customer service inquiries and frequently asked questions or add communications capabilities to their existing commerce websites. Angel.com’s Site Builder toolkit also allows Skype users to create new, revenue-generating services, such as help lines for professionals with expertise in a specific topic or industry.
Angel.com has become one of Skype’s official platform partners, and Skype will promote Angel.com to users as a trusted provider of voice services and development resources.
“Skype’s recent launch of Skype for Business confirmed the growing demand for a new breed of business communications solutions,” said Michael Zirngibl, President and CEO of Angel.com. “By combining Angel.com’s on-demand IVR platform with Skype’s Internet communications software, businesses of any size will now be able to set up high-quality IVR and call center applications, without ever having to deal with a traditional telco again.”
To encourage Skype users to get started with Angel.com, the companies are currently offering a program that provides guidance and assistance throughout the application-building process. Business owners and individuals who would like to roll out a new application will receive, at no charge, access to Site Builder, dedicated support from an Angel.com representative, a new toll-free number, and promotion of approved voice services to the Skype and Angel.com user communities.
To learn more about the program, visit http://www.angel.com/skype.
“With Angel.com as a new Skype platform partner, our users gain access to a service that makes high-end voice technology available and affordable to businesses and single users alike,” said Lenn Pryor, Developer Platform and Relations Team Manager for Skype. “Angel.com is a great fit for our rapidly growing base of business customers.”
About Skype
Skype is the world’s fastest-growing Internet communication offering, allowing people everywhere to make unlimited voice and video communication for free. Skype is available in 27 languages and is used in almost every country around the world. Skype generates revenue through its premium offerings such as making and receiving calls to and from landline and mobile phones, as well as voicemail and call forwarding. Skype also has relationships with a growing network of hardware and software providers. Skype is an eBay company (NASDAQ: EBAY). To learn more visit skype.com.
Skype is not a telephony replacement service and cannot be used for emergency calling.
About Angel.com
Angel.com is a leading provider of on-demand call center and Interactive Voice Response (IVR) solutions, which enable organizations of all sizes to quickly deploy powerful telephony applications. More than 1,500 customers turn to Angel.com’s patented Voice Site technology to power customer service and marketing phone numbers using intelligent speech recognition that can automate most phone-based interactions. With an innovative Internet-based solution that requires no investment in hardware, software, or human resources, Angel.com balances the need for high quality communications with affordable pay-as-you-go pricing. To learn more about Angel.com, visit www.angel.com.
About MicroStrategy
Founded in 1989, MicroStrategy is a global leader in business intelligence (BI) technology. MicroStrategy provides integrated reporting, analysis, and monitoring software that helps leading organizations worldwide make better business decisions every day. Companies choose MicroStrategy for its advanced technical capabilities, sophisticated analytics, and superior data and user scalability. More information about MicroStrategy (NASDAQ: MSTR) is available at www.microstrategy.com.
MicroStrategy, Angel.com, Site Builder are either trademarks or registered trademarks of MicroStrategy Incorporated in the United States and certain other countries. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
Mike Sweeney
Angel.com
(703) 770-1352
sweeney@angel.com
Source: MicroStrategy