IVR Development in java
I'm going to develop an on-line IVR application using Java (without PBX). In the software requirements there are some mathematical calculations and database communication which I prefer to implement on Java side.
As you know, different technologies are ready to integrate with Java, such as JTAPI, Zanzibar OpenIVR, Moho, VoiceXML, CCXML, Jive, Prophecy, Voicent, Voxeo etc.
Now the question is: What is the best solution? Which one is easiest to reach? Which one have the best efficiency? Do you recommend Open Source frameworks? Is there any Windows API for handling IVR systems?
Answer
If you're going to do VoiceXML with Java, you should take a look at Rivr, an open-source VoiceXML dialogue engine.
Rivr let you code your callflow naturally in the Java language. Thus you can reuse all the available Java tools (e.g. debugger, unit testing framework, coverage test tool) to develop the callflow. You also benefit from all your IDE features too (refactorings, source navigation, version control, etc).
The API is very simple. You can code a complete callflow with a single method. No need to define "states" or to manipulate templates or XML files.
Integration with server-side logic is trivial since you are only coding for the server side.