ScanSoft Extends Worldwide Leadership in Speech Recognition Software According to Analyst Firm Preliminary Report

PEABODY, Mass. - Gartner, Inc. has named ScanSoft the worldwide speech software sales leader, based on port shipments in 2004, in its newest market statistics report, "Speech Recognition Telephony Software: Worldwide, 2004 (Preliminary)."

"ScanSoft has extended its leadership in the market through innovation and differentiation throughout its speech technologies, applications and services," said Steve Chambers, president of SpeechWorks Solutions from ScanSoft. "Our enduring value, strength and performance are unmistakable and driven in large part by successes through our many partners, including Avaya, Cisco, Nortel Networks and countless others. Together, we are delivering on the true promise of speech technologies and conversational interfaces to improve the flow of information around the world."

According to Gartner, ScanSoft shipped approximately 43 percent of all speech recognition software ports worldwide in 2004. Gartner estimates that ScanSoft shipped 63.9 thousand ports in 2004, over 20 percent more than the next closest provider. The complete report is available for purchase at www.gartner.com.