PEABODY, Mass., April 11, 2000 - ScanSoft, Inc. (NASDAQ: SSFT), the leading provider of digital imaging software, today announced the promotion of Ben S. Wittner to the position of vice president, technology development. In his new position, Wittner will have worldwide responsibility for research and development of ScanSoft's digital imaging technology. Wittner will be instrumental in ScanSoft's move to the Internet publishing market and will take the lead in integrating acquired technologies.

Wittner has been a director of technology development for ScanSoft since 1995. He brings more than 12 years of experience in a variety of technical disciplines to his new role. As director of technology development at ScanSoft, he drove the development of the company's award-winning OCR technology. Wittner began working with OCR recognition in 1992 for Xerox Imaging Systems. When ScanSoft was realigned as a subsidiary of Xerox, and later spun out as a separate public company, Wittner became an integral part of the development team that lead ScanSoft to market dominance.

"Ben has demonstrated strong technology leadership and vision for ScanSoft," said Mike Tivnan, president and CEO of ScanSoft. "His extensive knowledge and experience will be instrumental as ScanSoft moves forward - not only as we deliver innovative digital imaging software, but as we expand into new markets." Wittner's prior positions include technical staff and management positions at NYNEX Science and Technology and AT&T Bell Laboratories, where he did work in theory and applications of neural networks. Additionally, Wittner has published a number of articles in various technical journals and has spoken at conferences around the world.

Wittner earned a Ph.D. in mathematics and an A.B. degree in mathematics from Cornell University.

About ScanSoft, Inc.

Headquartered in Peabody, Mass., ScanSoft, Inc. (NASDAQ: SSFT) is a leading developer of digital imaging software that enables users to leverage the power of their scanners, digital cameras, and other electronic devices. ScanSoft's award-winning product line - Pagis Pro, TextBridge Pro, PaperPort Deluxe, PaperPort ScannerSuite, ScanWorks, Kai's Photo Soap2, Kai's SuperGoo, Kai's PowerShow, and PhotoFactory - enables users to capture, recognize, edit, manage and share documents and photos electronically by taking advantage of ScanSoft's cutting-edge technology.

ScanSoft has established numerous strategic partnerships with the industry's leading scanner and multifunction vendors to deliver the most comprehensive and cost-effective solutions for its customers. ScanSoft's leading OCR technology was recently licensed by Microsoft for use in future products.

ScanSoft software is sold and marketed worldwide through retail, dealer and OEM channels and the Internet, capturing the consumer, small office/home office (SOHO) and corporate markets. There are approximately 2.9 million registered users of ScanSoft products. ScanSoft can be found on the Web at www.scansoft.com

Pagis, TextBridge, PaperPort, PaperPort Deluxe and Scanner Suite are registered trademarks or trademarks of ScanSoft, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders.

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