PEABODY, Mass., - February 21, 2001 -ScanSoft, Inc. (Nasdaq: SSFT), the leading provider of paper-to-digital solutions for desktop, network and corporate workgroups software, today announced the appointment of Wayne Crandall to the position of senior vice president of sales and marketing. In his new position, Crandall will oversee ScanSoft's worldwide sales and marketing efforts, as the company builds toward serving the small to medium size business and corporate workgroup markets. Crandall has been instrumental in driving ScanSoft's position as the dominant market leader in paper-to-digital software solutions and services.

Commenting on the appointment, ScanSoft Chief Executive Officer Paul Ricci said, "Wayne has consistently demonstrated strong leadership and innovative vision for ScanSoft. As we move to execute our corporate strategy, Crandall's experience in both defining products and services that are based on customer needs, and building channels to deliver the solutions, will enable us to achieve our goals."

Crandall has been responsible for leading company sales strategy and overseeing all domestic and international sales activity. Based in Europe for 3 years, Crandall was responsible for establishing ScanSoft's European sales and marketing operations, and opening up new market opportunities for the company. He has also played a key role in developing strategic partnerships with industry leaders, including Microsoft and Hewlett Packard, and instrumental in the company's recent acquisition of Caere Corporation. Additionally, he holds the role as ScanSoft's leading spokesperson and has spoken at conferences around the world.

Previously, Crandall was the National Sales Manager for Kurzweil Computer Products and held a number of sales and marketing positions at companies that include Philips Information Systems, Lexitron/Raytheon Data Systems, and Savin Corporation. Throughout Crandall's career, he has held strategic roles in marketing, sales, customer support and operations.

About ScanSoft, Inc.

Headquartered in Peabody, MA with European headquarters in the Netherlands, ScanSoft, Inc. (NASDAQ: SSFT) is the leading developer of paper-to-digital solutions that enable users to leverage the power of their scanners, digital cameras and other electronic devices. ScanSoft's award-winning product line - PaperPort Deluxe, Pagis Pro, TextBridge Pro, OmniPage Pro, OmniPage Pro Scan Suite Plus, OmniForm, eOmniForm, Paper Converter, Kai's PhotoSoap2, Kai's SuperGoo, Kai's PowerShow, PhotoFactory, and numerous software developer's kits - 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. Vendors who have chosen ScanSoft's cutting-edge technologies include Brother, Canon, Epson, Fujitsu, Hewlett-Packard, IBM/Lotus, Mustek, Primax, Sharp, Symantec Corporation, Visioneer, Xerox and others. ScanSoft's leading technologies have been licensed by Microsoft for use in Office 10 and other future products. ScanSoft continues to cultivate and develop strategic partnerships to deliver the most comprehensive and cost-effective solutions for its customers.

ScanSoft software is sold, marketed and supported worldwide through retail, dealer and OEM channels and the Internet, capturing the small to medium size business and corporate markets. There are more than 6.5 million registered users of ScanSoft products. ScanSoft can be found on the Web at www.scansoft.com.

Trademark reference: ScanSoft, PaperPort, PaperPort Deluxe, Pagis, TextBridge, OmniPage, OmniPage Pro Scan Suite Plus, OmniForm, eOmniForm, Paper Converter, Scanner Suite, PageKeeper, Developer's Kit 2000, PhotoFactory, Kai's PhotoSoap2, Kai's SuperGoo, and Kai's PowerShow are registered trademarks or trademarks of ScanSoft, Inc., in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks and trade names are hereby recognized and may be registered to their respective holders.

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