ScanSoft Solution Deployed by Cofiroute

PEABODY, MA and GHENT, BELGIUM - ScanSoft Inc. (Nasdaq: SSFT) announced that Cofiroute, a wholly private toll highway in France, has selected SpeechPearl® speech recognition software as the core technology for its new real-time traffic information service, Traffic-One. The new service, offered in French, provides motorists calling from a mobile phone with hands-free, real-time traffic information for the Ile-de-France region around Paris. "As the traffic service provider to the more congested areas in France, we are keen to offer drivers the highest quality service possible," said Bernard Matyjasik, director of new technologies for Cofiroute. "With ScanSoft's speech recognition software at the core of our traffic service, customers can access easily and quickly the most up-to-date traffic information relevant to their own trip itinerary. This service offering was only possible thanks to the capabilities and performances of this speech-enabled platform." The SpeechPearl software enables motorists to find out the duration of their itinerary and to listen to traffic information updated on a real-time basis. By using SpeechPearl software, incoming callers are greeted by a voice that responds to the caller's requests to provide immediate access to traffic information. The platform is implemented on Orateur-2 IVR system from Eurekasoft and is able to handle more than 200 calls simultaneously. The service Traffic-One currently handles 50,000 to 70,000 calls a month. "ScanSoft is pleased to leverage its experience developing traffic information services to deliver this compelling speech solution with its partners," said Steve Chambers, General Manager of Network Speech Solutions at ScanSoft. "Speech provides hands-free access to information over the phone making it the ideal interface for motorists seeking up to the minute travel information, especially in large urban areas such as the Ile-de-France." Traffic-One is accessible in France by dialing 0 892 00 107 7 and costs 0.34 Euro per minute.