Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQs)
What is the VoiceXML Forum
Platform Certification Program?
The VoiceXML Forum's Certification Program certifies that
implementation platforms conform to the VoiceXML specification.
By ensuring that certified platforms meet the requirements
specified by W3C standards, the industry gains:
- Interoperability of platforms, voice service providers,
tools, and applications
- Common test suite available to the entire industry
- Certified 3rd-party independent testing
What is a VoiceXML "platform?"
For the purposes of the VoiceXML Forum's Platform Certification
Program, a "platform" means an implementation
of VoiceXML. This includes stand-alone systems as well as
network service providers.
How can I tell if a vendor
has certified their platform?
The current list of certified platforms is available on
the VoiceXML Forum website at /platform_certification/certified_platforms.html
Where can I find a vendor's
test results?
Test results are reported in the form of a "Certification
Test Report" (CTR). To review a vendor's test report,
click on the "CTR" link for that vendor's entry
in the list of certified platforms.
What is included in a Certification
Test Report (CTR)?
The CTR includes the following information:
- VoiceXML version
- Test suite version
- Vendor's implementation version and configuration
- Vendor contact info
- List of all optional tests, including indication of
which were not tested
- List of all required tests
- List of test exceptions as defined by the VoiceXML Forum
Why are some tests required
and others optional?
The test suite includes two categories of tests: required
and optional. Required tests cover the core
functionality of VoiceXML. They represent the fundamental
features of VoiceXML that all implementations must support.
Optional tests cover functionality that was defined
by the W3C and VoiceXML Forum as not required in all implementation
scenarios. However, if a vendor supports a particular optional
function, it must implement it as defined by the
specification and test.
A vendor must pass every optional tests they select to
certify..
Why isn't there a certification
"score" on the CTR?
A vendor must pass all required tests. If a platform
is certified, it has passed all required tests. The list
of optional tests that were run and passed is indicated
in the CTR.
Are there different levels
of certification?
No. However, though all vendors must pass all required
tests, vendor support for the optional tests varies. See
each vendor's CTR for complete details.
What version of VoiceXML
is supported?
VoiceXML 2.0 as defined by W3C
VoiceXML 2.0 Recommendation March 16, 2004
What does the test suite
cover?
The test suite provides coverage of the major features
of VoiceXML, plus some features of SRGS (XML format) and
SSML as required to test VoiceXML funcationality.
How many tests are in
the test suite?
There are 604 tests in the current test suite:
Note: The following test assertions are not included in
the official test list:
Assertion IDs 81, 588, and 1106 are considered "in
dispute" due to inconsistancies in the VoiceXML 2.0
specification..
Assertion IDs 302 and 306 cover functionality not currently
testable with the telephony infrastructure at CT Labs.
Who developed the test suite?
The VoiceXML Forum Platform Certification Test Suite was
developed by the Forum's Conformance
Committee, based on tests developed by the W3C
Voice Browser Working Group as part of the W3C
VoiceXML 2.0 Implementation Report. The Forum is maintaining
and expanding the test suite and testing infrastructure.
Where can I obtain the
test suite?
Download the latest version of the public test suite from
/conformance/test_suite.asp
Who runs the certification
tests?
Tests are run by CT Labs,
an independent testing laboratory under contract to the
VoiceXML Forum.
Where does certification
testing take place?
The tests are run by CT Labs personnel at the CT Labs facility
in California. Testing can be done in two configurations:
on-site or remote. On-site testing
means a vendor's system under test (SUT - the vendor's equipment)
is physically sent to CT Labs' facility. Remote testing
means the SUT is at the vendor's facility, using the test
suite at CT Labs via the internet. The test suite is run
by making telephone calls over the PSTN to the SUT. Remote
testing is most commonly done in cases where a service provider
runs a network service such that it is not possible to send
a self-contained system to the lab, or if it is inconvenient
for a vendor to ship equipment to the lab.
In all cases, the test suite server is managed by CT Labs.
What's the difference
between "VoiceXML Forum certified" and "VoiceXML
compliant"?
A vendor may make any claim about their compliance to the
VoiceXML specification. "VoiceXML Forum Certified"
means a vendor's product has undergone and passed independent
testing by the VoiceXML Forum. The VoiceXML Forum awards
the vendor with a logo that may be used on the vendor's
web site and marketing collateral related to the certified
platform.
Does a vendor have to
be a member of the VoiceXML Forum in order to certify a
platform?
No, but we certainly encourage everyone to join the VoiceXML
Forum!
When will VoiceXML 2.1
certification become available?
Sometime after the W3C ratifies VoiceXML 2.1 as a Recommendation,
possibly in late Q2 or Q3 2006.
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