An avalanche of Java and vXML codes swamped the Call for Convergence VoiceXML Challenge- a contest for software developers in the Philippines by Telic.net, one of the world’s leading suppliers of managed VoIP solutions, and Sun Microsystems Philippines, Inc., the creator of Java technology. Over 80 entries have already been received just mid-way through the competition.

Jaime Martelino, Director of Sales and Marketing at Telic.net, noted that the contest showed numerous participants with great potential from among college students and software developers.

"We’re thrilled to have this level of participation. Java and the Internet are changing the way that people communicate by converging the traditional telephone network (sometimes called the PSTN), with the Internet. Emerging open standards such as Voice XML make it possible to create voice applications that previously could only be developed by the Telephone Company and very large equipment vendors. Used with Voice over IP (known as VoIP), Voice XML applications can be deployed once and used anywhere in the world through the Internet. That means anyone – especially local software developers – has the power to create the next worldwide killer voice app," said Ms. Martelino.

These types of applications are definitely relevant in the Philippines where the outsourced contact center industry has taken off. A few examples include: Call Center programs that route inbound calls to the right agent; directory assistance provided by Telephone Companies, and programs that give you banking account information over the telephone.

Jerry Bongco, Sun Microsystems’ Channels Development Program Manager, similarly echoed great excitement, "there’s an enormous potential associated with the converge communications industry. We encourage the software development community to think big. With technologies such as Java and vXML, any information available from any website or database can easily be converted into an interactive voice response (IVR) application – turning the entire Internet into a launching pad for creative and useful new telephone-based applications for landline as well as mobile subscribers."

The contest boasts a grand prize of $2,000.00 and will close on April 18, 2005. Winners for the Call for Convergence the VoiceXML Challenge is slated to be out by third quarter this year. Visit the contest website http://www.callforconvergence.com for updates.