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| Paracon to Participate in Microsoft Speech Partner Program
GREENVILLE, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 9, 2003--Paracon, a leading distributor of converged communications and computer telephony integration solutions, has joined Microsoft's Speech Partner Program to enable solutions built on Microsoft's speech technology offerings. Paracon will bring its telephony expertise to the joint effort by providing support for the Intel components of the Microsoft Speech Server. The overall solution includes software components from Microsoft and both hardware and software components from Intel. Serious business, investment and technology intelligence for a serious advantage - BizVantage! The combined Intel and Microsoft product offerings represent the convergence of speech and web technologies. The Microsoft Speech Server, designed for the delivery of enterprise-grade, mission-critical speech technology solutions for both telephony and speech/visual applications, will enable access to web content via multiple devices such as phones and PDA's, as well as browsers. By integrating advanced speech technologies, the server will also enable new web-browser functionality: imagine saying "Call Tech Support" instead of clicking a button. "Paracon is pleased to be providing product for this initiative, as well as educating and supporting the reseller in this important evolution of speech technology," said Clay Sorensen, president of Paracon. "There are great revenue- and business-building opportunities for the reseller interested in providing solutions for or offering solutions on this platform." As part of the Microsoft Speech Program, Paracon can help its current reseller partners that are seeking to build or deploy new speech-enabled applications and systems, while also educating current speech application resellers on the value telephony can bring to its customers' businesses. These cutting-edge speech solutions will provide resellers with excellent cross-selling and upselling opportunities. "We're excited to see the emergence of speech technology into the convergence space," said Grant Skellenger, director of computer telephony technical support for Paracon. "As end-users begin to value and depend on easy access to files and data from any location and any device, resellers will see tremendous opportunities." "Paracon shares our vision for making speech a mainstream technology. We welcome them into the Microsoft Speech Partner Program," said James Mastan, director of marketing for the Speech Technologies group at Microsoft Corp. "Their expertise in the telephony field and their strong relationship with Intel will provide great benefits for resellers looking to implement this technology." Paracon does not market products directly to end-user customers. The company works with a network of solution providers, including independent software vendors, system integrators and interconnect companies. Paracon also provides its solution provider partners with same-day shipping and free technical support, in addition to its value-added services, such as education, partner marketing, e-commerce solutions and professional services. Paracon is a sales unit of international specialty technology distributor ScanSource, Inc. For more information, visit www.paraconct.com. About ScanSource, Inc. ScanSource, Inc. is the leading international distributor of specialty technology products, including automatic identification and data capture (AIDC) and point-of-sale (POS) products through its ScanSource sales unit; Avaya voice, data and converged communications products through its Catalyst Telecom sales unit; and converged communications products from Intel through its Paracon sales unit. The Company provides both value-added distribution sales to technology resellers and e-logistics services. ScanSource has two distribution segments: one serving North America from the Memphis distribution center, and an international segment currently serving Latin America and Europe. ChannelMax, a subsidiary of ScanSource, Inc., is a provider of logistics and e-fulfillment services. The Company markets products from more than 60 technology manufacturers to over 13,000 value-added technology resellers and is committed to empowering them with tools and services designed to help them grow. For more information, call the toll-free sales telephone number at 800.944.2432 or visit www.scansource.com. Other product and service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.
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