PEABODY, Mass., - September 18, 2001 - ScanSoft, Inc. (Nasdaq: SSFT), a leading provider of paper-to-digital solutions, today announced that it expects to meet or exceed the upper range of revenue and earnings guidance that it gave on July 31, 2001, during its second-quarter conference call. This announcement was made to keep the trading window open for the company to purchase shares of ScanSoft's stock. While the SEC has relaxed volume and trading restrictions governing share repurchase programs, regulations restricting share repurchases based on material, non-public information remain in place.

ScanSoft's Chairman and CEO, Paul Ricci stated, "While it is early in September to have visibility into the results for the month, based on the strength of our revenues including the full-scale retail launch of OmniPage Pro 11 in the U.S. and Europe, we now expect third quarter revenues to meet or exceed the top of our previously published range of $14.5 to $15.5 million. We also anticipate that revenues will produce EPS, before amortization of intangibles, that will exceed our previous guidance of $0.03."

About ScanSoft, Inc.

Headquartered in Peabody, Mass., with European headquarters in The Netherlands, ScanSoft, Inc. (Nasdaq: SSFT) is a global leader in paper-to-digital solutions for the desktop, network, Internet and mobile environments that enable users to leverage the power of their scanners, digital cameras and other electronic devices. ScanSoft's award-winning product line - OmniPage Pro, TextBridge Pro, PaperPort Deluxe, Pagis Pro, OmniForm, eOmniForm, 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 products and 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 XP and other future products.

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 8 million registered users of ScanSoft products. ScanSoft can be found on the Web at www.scansoft.com.

Trademark reference: ScanSoft, OmniPage, TextBridge, PaperPort, PaperPort Deluxe, Pagis, OmniForm, eOmniForm, and Developer's Kit 2000 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.

Safe Harbor Statement

Except for the historical information contained herein, statements regarding ScanSoft's expected revenues and earnings for the quarter ended September 30, 2001 are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements are based on ScanSoft's current expectations and estimates as to prospective events and circumstances that may or may not be in ScanSoft's control and as to which there can be no firm assurances given. ScanSoft will report final financial results for the September 2001 quarter after it has had additional time for the collection and compilation of additional financial data. These final financial results for the September 2001 quarter could be different from the estimates in this press release. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and there can be no assurance that any of these forward-looking statements may prove to be correct and actual results may differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, our ability to effectively manage diverse and geographically dispersed operations, difficulties with integrating product plans, schedules and resources, the potential that the information used to predict ScanSoft's cash position was not accurate, market acceptance of ScanSoft's products, competitive products, pricing pressures, maintenance of distribution channels, and other risks detailed from time to time in ScanSoft's SEC reports. ScanSoft disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

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