ScanSoft's VoCon 3200 Provides iPower Users with Hands-Free Audio, Video and Data Control

PEABODY, Mass., March 17, 2004 - ScanSoft, Inc. (Nasdaq: SSFT), the leading supplier of speech and imaging solutions, today announced that Polycom, Inc., the world's leader in video and voice conferencing, conference bridges, and integrated web collaboration solutions, has selected ScanSoft's VoCon® 3200 speech recognition engine for its industry-leading iPower™ video communications system. With ScanSoft's technology, iPower customers will now benefit from the power of voice control, enhancing user interaction and improving the quality and effectiveness of video conferencing sessions.

"ScanSoft's speech technology is a powerful tool for our users, allowing them to easily utilize the full extent of iPower's functionality through a reliable and simple to operate interface," said Geno Alissi, vice president and general manager of Polycom Global Services. "Speech control is a perfect extension for our users, requiring no formal training and allowing participants to have more control and maintain an even more productive flow during a meeting."

With ScanSoft's speech technology, iPower users can now control audio, video and data content, such as placing and answering calls, navigating through applications, and giving presentations, through the power of speech. Additionally, peripheral equipment, such as VCRs, DVD players, cameras, etc., can be managed by simple spoken commands.

"Speech is the most easy to use, natural interface known today," said Alan Schwartz, general manager of embedded speech solutions at ScanSoft. "Polycom's innovative use of our embedded speech technology provides their iPower users with seamless command and control capabilities."

The VoCon 3200 delivers a new level of speaker-independent and continuous speech capabilities within an architecture that scales to meet specific grammar and deployment platform requirements. Its noise management and acoustical capabilities allow customers to deliver speech recognition where and when necessary. The VoCon 3200 engine is bundled with ScanSoft's Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) Embedded Development System, a suite of tools that helps developers create highly accurate and effective speech recognition applications, whether they are an expert at ASR or new to the technology.

About Polycom® iPower™

The iPower™ 9000 Series of multimedia conferencing solutions delivers the highest audio and video quality available with unrivaled collaboration capabilities, strong IP functionality and flexible options for conference control. The pc-based iPower 9000 Series is available as a comprehensive system for enterprise environments and as a standalone codec designed for the specialized needs of systems integrators and value added resellers (VARs).

About ScanSoft® Embedded Speech Solutions (ESS)

ScanSoft's Embedded Speech Solutions (ESS) is a leading provider of speech technologies and applications used within automobiles, handsets, consumer devices, talking dictionaries, assistive technology, and electronic games. ESS solutions provide an easy-to-use interface for communicating with devices that relieves common frustrations and hazards, or creates a compelling new form of interaction. ESS supplies its leading speech technologies and applications to companies worldwide, including Citroen, Clarion, Delphi, Ford, General Motors, Motorola, Nokia, Pioneer, Sony and Visteon. For more information, visit www.scansoft.com/embedded/.

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, the ScanSoft logo, and VoCon are registered trademarks or trademarks of ScanSoft, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other company or product names may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

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