Two prominent companies based in New Jersey, Onvego from Livingston and Phone.com from Newark, have recently joined forces to create an innovative AI-driven solution designed to meet the needs of small businesses. Their collaborative effort has resulted in the introduction of the “Smart Receptionist” by Onvego and “AI-Connect” by Phone.com, which enhances traditional answering services using advanced technologies in automatic speech recognition (ASR) and natural language understanding (NLU), along with natural language processing (NLP) and text-to-speech (TTS) capabilities. This system operates without imposing any complexity upon the users or the callers, while offering valuable business intelligence that enables small enterprises to optimize their operations and increase profitability.
In an exclusive discussion with NJTechWeekly.com, Ari Rabban, Co-founder and CEO of Phone.com, and Gonen Ziv, Chief Revenue Officer of Onvego, elaborated on their collaboration and the promising potential of their new AI product for clients and within the New Jersey technology ecosystem. Rabban, who has been a vital player in the New Jersey tech scene since founding Phone.com 15 years ago with VoIP innovator Alon Cohen, emphasized the synergy between the two organizations that led to this project. He noted, “We connected and designed this product specifically with Onvego, which is actively marketing and promoting it.”
Ziv shared insights into the benefits of their collaboration with Cohen, praising the latter’s extensive expertise in VoIP technology. Ziv stated, “He was the one who invented VoIP,” highlighting the resourcefulness of having such an expert involved in their project. The cooperative effort not only improved the engineering aspects of their design but also enabled Onvego to better understand and meet the needs of Phone.com’s substantial customer base, which numbers around 50,000. Furthermore, Ziv remarked on elements that were vital for clients, such as the ability to block spam calls, which directly influenced their product’s development.
Originally relocating to New Jersey from Israel 35 years ago, Ziv became a part of Onvego four years prior, advocating for the establishment of a U.S. headquarters in New Jersey due to its strategic location close to New York City and the benefits of the state’s educational system. He asserted that New Jersey offers substantial support for tech companies through various initiatives from entities like the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA). Alongside Phone.com, Ziv is collaborating with VoiceNEXT, while Onvego is actively seeking to expand its footprint in Newark.
Onvego has a rich history in AI, previously delving into voice-controlled applications such as drones for military use and elevators that respond to voice commands. Their transition into unified communications and AI showcases their commitment to innovating solutions for small businesses, which traditionally lack the resources to develop advanced systems akin to those employed by larger corporations.
Amber Bigler Newman, Director of Marketing for Phone.com, underscored that the company is continually seeking ways to enhance the value they provide to small businesses. Their research highlighted the consumer preference for phone communication, with 60% of individuals choosing to contact businesses via phone over other communication channels, driving Phone.com’s focus on integrating AI to facilitate these interactions.
The AI-Connect service, powered by Onvego, is designed to assist callers by determining their intent, facilitating direct connections to the right individual, or scheduling appointments. This system can even perform warm transfers, enabling seamless communication, wherein an AI intermediary introduces the caller to the intended recipient prior to connecting them, ultimately enhancing the customer experience. For a nominal fee of $19.99 per month, this service is available as an add-on for existing Phone.com customers.
Moreover, the AI platform provides valuable analytics that enables small businesses to glean insights into customer inquiries and preferences, thereby refining their operational strategies. With the capability to answer frequently asked questions regarding business hours and policies, the AI system significantly alleviates the volume of calls that small business owners must manage. Ziv encapsulated the essence of their innovation by stating that their aim is to democratize access to AI-driven solutions for small businesses, enabling them to thrive in a competitive landscape without substantial financial burdens.
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