User:RexLatchford/Wildfire virtual assistant

Wildfire virtual assistant ... Draft Article

Wildfire is an IVS (Interactive Voice System) application that provides personal assistant services via the PSTN (telephone network). It is also an early example of an SaaS (Software as a Service). There are a number of such services [citations needed], however, the Wildfire system is notable for its quick interactivity and attractive [find better description] user interface. Developed by: * Wildfire Communications, Inc. (circa 1994) (Founded 1991 [businessweek]) * Dates of development, releases * Hardware platform (DOS? PC Based) (telephone interface) * Company history, trajectory * Acquired by (Matrix Management Corp, sold to Orange [www.matrixpartners.com] France Telcom? Orange? Regulatory issues.) * As of July 17, 2000, Wildfire Communications, Inc. operates as a subsidiary of Orange SA. [businessweek.com circa 4/2012] * Programming information * Voice actress (name of, any other info)

Additional info: * Summarize legal action at http://www.steptoe.com/assets/attachments/727.pdf UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT, DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS, CIVIL ACTION NO. 00-CV-12004-GAO * There is a company profile at: http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=36612 * 1996 Harvard Business Review Case Study at http://hbr.org/product/wildfire-communications-inc-b/an/396306-PDF-ENG part (a) at http://hbr.org/product/wildfire-communications-inc-a/an/396305-PDF-ENG Blurb from above: "Founder and CEO Bill Warner is faced with critical decisions regarding the product lines, target markets, and technology platforms that his start-up, Wildfire Communications, Inc., will pursue. In addition to the question of strategic focus across these lines of business, Warner must decide whether changes in the organizational process will increase his company's effectiveness."

* Person: Rich Miner was a former co-founder of Android, Inc., Miner also founded Wildfire * http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_assets_owned_by_Microsoft_Corporation cites Wildfire as a 1997 acquisition This wants to link to "Wildfire Communications" at Wikipedia but is a dead end.

* Orange Delays Wildfire Closure http://www.cellular-news.com/story/12911.php  5/20/2005

* home.himolde.no/~molka/lo205/.../Wildfire-communications-case.ppt - has excellent list of competitors, market analysis, some company history and info about product organization. * http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/07/05/orange_wildfire/ "Orange Kills Wildfire - finally" 7/5/2005 also http://planet-geek.com/archives/2006/06/farewell-wildfi-1.html planet geek 6/5/2006

BOOK CITATIONS

* Human Factors And Voice Interactive Systems By Daryle Gardner-Bonneau