Selection Driven by Need to Create PDF from Any PC Application and Convert PDF into Fully-Formatted Word Documents

PEABODY, Mass., October 5, 2004 - ScanSoft, Inc. (Nasdaq: SSFT), the global leader of speech and imaging solutions, today announced that Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company has selected ScanSoft® PDF Converter Professional for an initial 600 user deployment. ScanSoft PDF Converter Professional is a bundle of PDF Create!, a fast and affordable solution that enables PDF creation from any PC application, and PDF Converter, a unique product that turns PDF back into fully-formatted Microsoft Word documents.

While the PDF format has been widely embraced by design and pre-press professionals, the deployment of PDF creation capabilities within business environments has been slowed due to the high cost, complexity and limitations found with current solutions. ScanSoft's PDF solutions overcome these historical barriers by delivering the price, performance and features specifically designed for business users, enabling organizations to deploy PDF solutions to every business desktop. Lockheed Martin selected ScanSoft solutions to create PDF documents and convert PDF documents to Word, overcoming incompatibilities between Microsoft Office and PDF formats.

ScanSoft's PDF solutions family includes:

• PDF Converter Professional 2.0 - ScanSoft has delivered the first and only product that combines PDF creation with PDF conversion. A bundle of PDF Create! and PDF Converter 2.0, PDF Converter Professional significantly improves productivity by providing business professionals with the ability to more seamlessly move between the two dominant electronic document formats -- Microsoft Word and PDF. With PDF Converter Professional, organizations now have access to an industry-leading PDF solution that has the price, performance and features that can put the power of PDF on every business desktop.



• PDF Create! 2.0 - ScanSoft's new PDF Create! enables PDF creation from any Microsoft Windows application through the "print" option, and provides toolbar and mouse shortcuts within Microsoft Office and Windows Explorer. Also included is PDF Create! Assistant, an easy-to-use desktop application that enables the batch conversion of multiple files into the PDF format, as well as merging multiple file formats into a single PDF document. This is especially valuable for sharing specialized documents, such as drawing (Microsoft Visio), photo editing (JASC PaintShop Pro), layout (Microsoft Publisher), CAD (Autodesk AutoCAD), accounting (Intuit QuickBooks), and contact management (ACT!) applications.



• PDF Converter 2.0 - With PDF Converter 2.0, ScanSoft has added or improved upon the features that matter most to make converting PDF-to-Word easier and more effective than ever before. PDF Converter Assistant enables the batch conversion of multiple files from PDF-to-Word-without needing to open Microsoft Word. In addition, ScanSoft has added logical form recognition (LFR) to PDF Converter, enabling users to turn PDF forms into Microsoft Word forms that can be edited or filled. Improved format retention ensures that even complex PDF documents with a blend of text, graphics and bullets are formatted accurately, while added support for image-only PDF documents and security encryption ensures that all types of PDF documents are quickly and easily converted.

"We are proud to have PDF Converter Professional selected by Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company," said John Shagoury, president, ScanSoft Productivity Applications Division. "Since the introduction of our PDF solutions it has become clear that organizations are not only looking for alternative vendors for PDF, but are also looking for products that deliver features designed specifically for increasing business productivity."

About ScanSoft, Inc.

ScanSoft, Inc. (Nasdaq: SSFT) is the global leader 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.

Trademark reference: ScanSoft and the ScanSoft logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of ScanSoft, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. All other company or product names mentioned may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

The statements in this press release that relate to future plans, events or performance are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including risks associated with market trends, competitive factors, and other risks identified in ScanSoft's SEC filings. Actual results, events and performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date hereof.

Contact Information