Run-time simulation environment for voiceXML applications that simulates and automates user interaction

A computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program for simulating a run-time user interaction with a voice application, said computer program comprising a routine set of instructions which when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform the steps of:

• providing a simulation environment including a simulation tool coupled to a voice application;
• loading a user simulation script to the simulation tool;
• processing the user simulation script by the simulation tool to generate both a simulated input to the voice application and a simulated output from the voice application;
• wherein the simulation tool and user simulation script replace actual inputs provided by a live user, actual outputs provided by the voice application and all speech technologies needed when the voice application is not in the simulation environment, and wherein all actual interactions between the user and the voice application are represented by scripted text-equivalents that simulate both the content and execution time of such interactions.

A computer-implemented simulation tool system for simulating a run-time user interaction with a voice application running on an application server, said tool system comprising a processor configured to:

• load a user simulation script;
• and
• processing the user simulation script to generate both a simulated input to the voice application and a simulated output from the voice application;
• wherein the simulation tool and user simulation script replace actual inputs provided by a live user, actual outputs provided by the voice application and all speech technologies needed when the voice application is not in the simulation environment, and wherein all actual interactions between the user and the voice application are represented by scripted text-equivalents that simulate both the content and execution time of such interactions.