The new TeleMail technology which permits accessing e-mail by phone from text to voice is catching the fancy of companies in the UAE.

High prospects are seen for this new technology since many companies use the MS (Microsoft) exchange with which TeleMail works very well.

OnTrack Systems (UAE) Ltd, the Abu Dhabi-based multinational company with a development centre in Fujairah which is involved in TeleMail, is associated with various companies in the private and government sectors.

"We see high prospects for TeleMail in the UAE. It is inexpensive and convenient to use. We are in talks with some major oil companies in the UAE which are likely to opt for the TeleMail technology," said Shaik Hamdan, marketing manager, Ontrack Systems (UAE) Ltd.

TeleMail application lets you or your entire company access your corporate mailboxes through any touchtone telephone, any time and anywhere. It is also simple and allows fast access, with the navigation features allowing quick scanning through any number of messages.

"There are many options. For instance the whole message is read only when the user instructs application to do so, unwanted messages can be deleted and there are also other flexible message review options," said Debasis Roy, project manager, OnTrack Systems.

"Basically, TeleMail uses state-of-art text to speech conversion software to actually read your mail through your telephone using synthesised speech. The application is run along with MS exchange mail server, and checks mail in the server," he explained, adding that the application is connected to the EPABX or to a phone line. The user calls the phone number provided and is connected to the application.

Once connected, the user must identify himself by providing a pre-configured set of numbers which can be entered using the phone dial.

The technology was introduced in India last September.

"However, the concept didn't take off very well in the Indian market because most companies use Lotus Notes or the Mercury Server and not the MS exchange mail server."

"We see high prospects in the whole GCC region, but our focus in now the UAE market," said Roy.
TeleMail is also integrated with SMS and through SMS it is customised. "In other words, mail arrival is informed through SMS."

OnTrack is also pushing a new product, Cowork, that enhances productivity. "It is a collaborative tool to share your document, simplifies the job and suits any type of business," said Roy, adding that most corporates are opting for this product. They include banks, hospitals and insurance companies.