News & Events
DiRAD Awarded New Jersey State IVR Contract
The State of New Jersey has awarded DiRAD Technologies, Inc. a multiyear contract for hosted Interactive Voice Response (IVR) Systems to be procured by state agencies, schools, municipalities and counties. The 5-year contract allows DiRAD to provide custom-designed telephony, messaging, SMS, MMS, mobile and web applications developed to the specifications of each client. Applications will be hosted in multiple data centers across the United States. “We’re very pleased to add New Jersey to our growing list of government clientele”, said John Michne, DiRAD General Manager. “We’ll spend a lot of time in the state, getting to know all the parties,” he added.
Interactive Intelligence Wins Contact Center of the Year
DiRAD partner Interactive Intelligence recently won Frost & Sullivan's Contact Center of the Year. DiRAD has been an Interactive Intelligence partner since 2000, serving call center customers throughout the Northeastern U.S.
Click here to access the video from Frost & Sullivan
EVENT: Contact Center Consolidation and Centralization
November 3rd, 2011 at 11:30 ET
Consolidating onto a centrally managed contact center platform, well-equipped to service all your locations, can drive down your cost of ownership, while at the same time delivering more advanced services to your customers. Elimination of the multitude of systems in various locations, from various vendors, with distinct administrative interfaces provides an improved ability to centrally manage communications across the enterprise. Productivity increases through a common set of applications and services and the ability to deliver new functionality simultaneously across all locations. And overall reliability and availability of services can increase substantially. All well and good, but how do you get there?
In this web event, featured industry experts Drew Kraus, Research Vice President, Worldwide Enterprise Communications Applications, Gartner, Brad Herrington, Sr. Manager, Solutions Marketing, Interactive Intelligence, Don Van Doren, President, Vangard Communications and Tom Fisher, Director, Systems Engineering, Interactive Intelligence will share their insight and practical hands-on experience about how to build a successful plan for consolidating and centralizing your contact center and enterprise communications. Following the presentation, there will be an extensive audience Q&A session. Attendance is free. Register here
DiRAD/SecureTech Partnership
Now Offering Unparalleled Emergency Notification System Integration
August 17, 2011 (Clifton Park, NY) - DiRAD Technologies, Inc., a 27 year old communications integration company, specializing in Custom Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system development, has entered into an agreement with Fort Worth, Texas based SecureTech Systems, Inc. as a distributor of their WAVE product line. The WAVE is panic-button activated wireless instant notification system that sends an audible alarm message over a two-way radio or push-to-talk phone. The WAVE uses state-of-the-art technology to provide wireless sensors with either the longest range and most robust signal or the most accurate RF location available.
DiRAD is currently working with SecureTech to integrate its wireless technology with DiRAD's mass notification systems, the result of which is a powerful tool for security and emergency notification.
This latest integration with the WAVE system pulls contact information from a customer's Active Directory and sends three types of alarm messages: voice, SMS & e-mail, simultaneously from DiRAD's secure datacenter colocation facilities. The data is mirrored in multiple geographically disparate locations ensuring maximum security and system redundancy. The alarm messages can be triggered by the WAVE system directly or through a secure web-portal in the event of a catastrophic situation.
DiRAD's Vice President, John Michne, said, "We can replicate this application anywhere. The ease of use of the SecureTech equipment coupled with the security of a hosted IVR system is a win-win for every municipality or cost-conscious enterprise. We look forward to helping any business or government officials concerned with Continuity of Operation Planning or Employee or Citizen Notification, roll out this solid cost-effective solution. This will be available via our NYS OGS Contract for our public sector customers."
About SecureTech Systems
Headquartered in Fort Worth, TX, SecureTech was founded in 1994 and has installed over 1,500 systems in courts, schools, colleges, hospitals, stadiums, parks and other facilities. The WAVE is a flexible platform that can be used as a stand-alone system, but is increasingly being integrated with other security and building automation systems to add value to the overall security solution at a facility.
DiRAD Awarded Minneapolis Cloud IVR Contract
Clifton Park, NY — March 8, 2011 — DiRAD Technologies, Inc., a 27 year-old Voice Solution Provider, was awarded a contract to design, implement and host a web-based Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system for the City of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Leveraging speech recognition for both English and Spanish-speaking customers, the system allows callers to inquire about their water service billing, get balances, payment history, and avoid shutoff, 24 hours a day. The system also provides Minneapolis staff with an outbound notification application to alert customers of billing issues and pending water shut-offs. Staff can access the system entirely from the web, with tools administration, reporting and real-time call traffic statistics.
Minneapolis Project Manager Jeff Kendall said, "I have been a project manager for many years and in that role I have worked with many Vendors. DiRAD has to be one of the best I have encountered. The City of Minneapolis has many processes in place to monitor/manage projects during each step through the project life cycle. The DiRAD team stepped up and did not only what was asked of them, but also provided suggestions on how we can improve."
DiRAD Vice President and General Manager John Michne added "the key to a successful project is active customer participation, and this customer nailed it. We continue to work together to refine the application and ensure the system is providing information as efficiently as possible."
The system integrates with the City's Enquesta Utility Billing platform, provided by Systems & Software of Williston, Vermont.
Founded in 1984, DiRAD Technologies is a provider of cloud and premise-based communications solutions, including IVR, Call center, Notification and IP Telephony for government agencies as well as medium to large businesses.
DiRAD Awarded Statewide Managed Services Contract
The New York State Office of General Services has awarded DiRAD Technologies a Comprehensive Telecommunications Services (CTS) statewide contract for Interactive Voice Response (IVR) Managed Services for the contract period of 2009 – 2017.
With this award DiRAD is able to now provide both premise- and non-premise-based IVR solutions to our government clients. DiRAD IVR premise-based solutions are available under the DiRAD OGS CTES contract.
DiRAD Technologies has been providing hosted IVR managed services for over 10 years. The experience DiRAD has developed in the last 27 years of designing, implementing and supporting IVR solutions assures our clients of successful and productive problem-solving IVR solutions.
Click here to access our government page.
Introducing the DiRAD H1N1 Flu Information System
New York - October 12, 2009 – DiRAD Technologies, a 25-year-old provider of Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems and services, recently announced a new hosted Automated Telephone H1N1 Flu Information System being offered to state and local governments nationwide.
The H1N1 system provides constantly updated information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in a caller-friendly format, as well as two customer-recorded choices for important local announcements and vaccination information. State and local government agencies will be able to use their own phone number, or DiRAD will provide each agency a dedicated local or toll-free number for their sole use.
"People need information that's current and cuts through the media hype. In addition, they need to know what's going in their own backyards", said John Michne, DiRAD General Manager. "This system provides information on demand by just dialing your phone. On the other side, it demonstrates to members of the community that their leaders are doing something about the problem," Michne added.
More information about the product and pricing.
About DiRAD Technologies
DiRAD Technologies, Inc. is a Voice Solution Provider, delivering a range of voice products including IVR, Call Centers and Unified Communications. A Microsoft Voice Specialized Partner and an Interactive Intelligence Elite partner, DiRAD builds and hosts voice systems for government and business alike. DiRAD holds a federal GSA Schedule 70 contract for hosted IVR as well as government contracts in several states and boasts of customers nationwide.
DiRAD Becomes a Microsoft Voice Specialized Partner
September, 2009 -DiRAD General Manager John Michne has announced DiRAD has become a Microsoft Voice Specialized Partner. The certification allows DiRAD to sell, deploy, and support Microsoft's Unified Communications platform, Office Communications Server 2007. The suite also includes Exchange Server 2007 (and soon Exchange Server 2010).
The rigorous qualification process included experiental requirements, individual technical certfications, and demonstrated installation and support excellence. "Microsoft is not just messing around with voice", said John Michne, DiRAD's General Manager. "They know how important it is to have partners who are experienced with IP Telephony and Microsoft-based server computing, and we are a perfect fit. We're proud to be one of the first companies in upstate New York to attain this important certification."
DiRAD Joins NASTD
September, 2009 - DiRAD Technologies has joined the respected National Association of State Telecommunications Directors (NASTD). NASTD is a member-driven organization that represents information technology professionals from 50 states, and the private sector. State members provide and manage state government information technology services and facilities for state agencies and other public entities, often including hospitals, prisons, colleges and universities. Corporate members like DiRAD provide information technology and equipment to state government. For more information, visit www.nastd.org.
DiRAD Awarded Statewide New York State OGS CTES Contract
April, 2009 - The New York State Office of General Services has awarded DiRAD Technologies a Comprehensive Telecommunications Equipment and Solutions (CTES) statewide contract in the areas of Interactive Voice Response (IVR), Automated Call Distribution (Call Center) and Voicemail systems for a contract period of 2009 - 2024.
With this award DiRAD is pleased to continue to provide the New York State public sector organizations with problem solving and cost effective telecommunication solutions.
DiRAD Technologies proficiency in optimizing the utilization of the latest technology, experiential based knowledge of the New York telecommunication networks and commitment to client satisfaction assures our clients of a productive technology investment.
Mahar New President of CATA
January 23, 2009 - DiRAD Account Manager Jim Mahar recently became president of the Capital District Technology Association (CATA). Mahar was previously Vice President. CATA is the premiere information technology association in eastern New York and western New England, and boasts a list of members who are titans in the industry. "I'm very proud to be selected, and will work to promote CATA as well as continue to be DiRAD's voice in the organization" said Mr. Mahar. Visit CATA Website
Rami Hachem Appointed Vice President of Technical Services
January 26, 2009 - DiRAD Senior System Engineer Rami Hachem has been promoted to Vice President, Technical Services. Hachem will be responsible for all aspects of service provision including presales and technical support. DiRAD General Manager John Michne made the announement today to the delight of DiRAD customers. "Rami's primary mission in life has been to satisfy the customer", said Michne. "He'll continue in that role as he passes his knowledge to existing and future DiRAD employees", he added.
DiRAD Accepted into Microsoft Voice TAP Program
DiRAD Technologies, Inc., a company specializing in Unified Communications Solutions, was recently accepted into the Microsoft Technology Adoption Program (TAP) for Microsoft Office Communications Server (OCS) 2007. DiRAD has been tasked with becoming a Voice Specialized Partner (VSP). "This is a rigorous program with a heavy commitment, but we are believers", said John Michne, DiRAD Vice President of Technical Services. We look forward to rolling out OCS to our pilot customers later this quarter", he added. DiRAD is working with representatives from Microsoft to ensure a smooth internal deployment, which is another requirement of the program. "We look forward to bringing our customers in to see what we have to offer", said Michne.
Microsoft IVR: Speech for Less
DiRAD has announced the general availability of Microsoft Office Communications Server (OCS) Speech Server as part of their IVR portfolio. OCS Speech Server is the ground-breaking IVR platform from Microsoft that includes speech recognition and enhanced text-to-speech (TTS) for no extra charge, as part of their platform. This is a major industry disruption compared to other IVR and speech products in the marketplace. The savings increase as the number of voice ports in a server increases. For example, customers can save over $10,000 in software costs alone by purchasing a 24-port DiRAD/Microsoft IVR solution. For more information and a free consultation, contact John Michne, DiRAD General Manager, at 800-778-2927 extension 149.
DiRAD Celebrates 25th Anniversary
DiRAD recently celebrated 25 years of service as one of the industry's top IVR and Unified Communications providers. By consistently taking care of its customers, staying nimble, and taking advantage of new technologies, DiRAD has succeeded where many others have failed. "DiRAD has been quietly rolling out voice innovation for years", said Curt Alheim, DiRAD's founder. "Our customers appreciate our old-fashioned service combined with cutting-edge technology, and that's a winning combination", he added.
A brief History
DiRAD was founded in 1984 as the voicemail era was taking shape. In 1988, DiRAD was awarded it first New York State government contract to provide automated attendants and voicemail systems. Bolstered by a patent for automated TDD (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf) DiRAD continued to win state business. Soon, DiRAD took advantage of the then-new Windows NT 3.51 to begin offering its customer Interactive Voice Response Systems. Customers such as the NYC Department of Finance, New York City Division of Administrative Services, and the New York State Civil Service Department all took advantage of the early technology.
In 2000, a major milestone in DiRAD's history was its partnership with Interactive Intelligence, a little-known but innovative company who developed software that allowed PBX, ACD, IVR and Messaging to run on the same Windows platform. The era of the proprietary telephone system was over. DiRAD begain installing and supporting call centers based on the Interactive platform, and boasts such customers as the New York City Police Department, NYC Board of Elections, New York State Comptroller, and the City University of New York. As DiRAD continues its successful call center implementation, over the years Interactive Intelligence has rose to become a leader in the contact center industry -- another winner in the DiRAD portfolio.
As DiRAD continues to hone its skills as a top IVR and Contact Center provider, it has also partnered with Microsoft to become a Voice Specialized Partner, a rigorous program that will allow DiRAD to sell and support the Microsoft Office Communications Server (OCS) platform. This major Unified Communications initiative has already propelled Microsoft into the leader's category for voice technology. It is a natural step for Microsoft, and DiRAD will be there, as it always has -- ready, willing and able to provide its customers best-of-breed solutions.