Partners and Customers Gain Access to Application Knowledge Base of 300 Speech Applications in 30 Industries

PEABODY, Mass., March 22, 2004 - ScanSoft, Inc. (Nasdaq: SSFT), the leading supplier of speech and imaging solutions, today introduced S.T.E.P.™ Online, a real-time meeting tool for customers and partners that accelerates the evaluation process required for identifying the most relevant speech applications for a specific industry by 50 percent. The foundation of S.T.E.P. Online is a content-rich, proprietary database derived from over 350 S.T.E.P. engagements for 30 industries in 10 countries.

"We have used ScanSoft's S.T.E.P. methodology for our Genesys Voice Platform customers in travel and financial services verticals. It has been instrumental in defining a strategy for voice self-service for those companies," said Ashish Gupta, Vice President of Product Marketing & Solutions at Genesys Telecommunications Laboratories. "S.T.E.P. Online will be a valuable tool for companies in any industry to quicken the decision process and identify applications that will enhance customer service and contact center operations."

S.T.E.P. Online is an evolution of S.T.E.P™ (Speech Technology Evaluation Process), a proven program first introduced to the market in 2000. A first in the speech industry, the five-step process introduced a set of modular consulting programs designed to inform a company's speech strategy. Dozens of ScanSoft partners including Aspect, Avaya, Edify, Genesys Telecommunications Laboratories, Nortel Networks and VoiceGenie have utilized ScanSoft's S.T.E.P. program with marquee Global 1000 companies. S.T.E.P. Online harnesses speech application expertise and best practices. It features industry benchmarks from deployed speech systems as well as third-party call center data from Benchmark Portal. The online tool provides numerous audio samples so users can experience specific speech applications relevant to their business.

"ScanSoft has been building a valuable repository of vertical applications for several years, one that can help customers and partners accelerate requirements definition and plan deployment," said Mark Plakias, Partner and Senior Consultant with the Zelos Group. "Taking this resource online shows leadership in mainstreaming speech into IT business processes."

"We're excited about the opportunities that S.T.E.P. Online offers both our customers and partners," said Michael Thompson, Vice President of Marketing, SpeechWorks Solutions, ScanSoft. "This tool, coupled with our SpeechPAK™ application focus, emphasizes our commitment to deliver speech applications faster, better and at a lower cost to customers."

ScanSoft will introduce S.T.E.P. Online at the AVIOS~SpeechTEK conference March 23-26 in San Francisco. It is currently available to enterprise and carrier organizations in collaboration with ScanSoft partners through the ScanSoft Sales and Industry Marketing Teams.

Join ScanSoft for a Web Seminar on S.T.E.P Online

To learn how your organization can benefit from S.T.E.P Online, attend ScanSoft's Web Seminar scheduled for April 22, 2004 at 2:00PM EST. Register today at www.scansoft.com/webinars/steponline.

About ScanSoft® Network Speech Solutions

ScanSoft Network Speech Solutions is the global leader in advanced network speech technologies and professional services. Enterprise and telecommunications organizations around the world such as Aetna, Bank of America and Qantas Airways leverage the power and innovation of the SpeechWorks® Suite of Network Speech Solutions to redefine the way they exchange vital information with customers and employees over the telephone. With a global sales and engineering presence, ScanSoft is uniquely positioned to help companies create and implement sophisticated speech solutions that deliver proven economic benefits and the highest levels of caller satisfaction. For more information, visit www.scansoft.com/network/.

About ScanSoft, Inc.

ScanSoft, Inc. (Nasdaq: SSFT) is a leading supplier of speech and imaging solutions that are used to automate a wide range of manual processes - saving time, increasing worker productivity and improving customer service. For more information regarding ScanSoft products and technologies, please visit www.scansoft.com.

ScanSoft and the ScanSoft logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of ScanSoft, Inc. in the United States and other countries. SpeechWorks, S.T.E.P., and SpeechPAK are trademarks or registered trademarks of SpeechWorks International, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other product names and company may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

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