Open standards based solutions are rapidly becoming the preferred choice for companies deploying telephony applications. VoiceXML and SALT have many advantages including reduced development expense, leveraged web infrastructure and interfaces, built-in platform flexibility, and technology commonality. However, because these technologies are still relatively new, real world development demands an in depth knowledge of speech engine technology, standards, and telephony to handle complex mission critical speech applications. Voice Architects’ consultants are well versed in all three areas, and have designed and built standards based applications that are processing thousands of daily calls. As a launch partner of Microsoft’s Speech Partner Program, VA is intimately familiar with SALT, the industry’s newest standard.