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ScanSoft Announces Fiscal Third Quarter Results

Strength in Speech Business Lines Drives Revenue Growth; Focus on Expenses Improves Operating Margins

BURLINGTON, Mass., August 9, 2005 – ScanSoft, Inc. (Nasdaq: SSFT), a global leader of speech and imaging solutions, today announced financial results for its third fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2005. ScanSoft reported revenue of $56.8 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2005, a 23 percent increase over revenue of $46.1 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2004.

On a GAAP basis, ScanSoft recognized net income of $0.2 million, or $0.00 per basic and diluted share, in the third quarter of fiscal 2005, compared with a net loss of $0.4 million, or $0.00 per basic and diluted share, in the quarter ended June 30, 2004.

In addition to using GAAP results in evaluating ScanSoft's business, management also believes it is useful to measure results using a non-GAAP measure of net income, which excludes, as applicable, non-cash taxes, non-cash interest expense, amortization of intangible assets, non-cash stock-based compensation and restructuring charges. See “GAAP to non-GAAP Reconciliation” below for further information on ScanSoft’s non-GAAP measure.

Using this non-GAAP measure, ScanSoft recognized non-GAAP net income for the third quarter of fiscal 2005 of $5.9 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, compared with non-GAAP net income of $4.3 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2004.

“In the third quarter, we saw a continuation of the trends that have emerged throughout 2005, most notably strength in our global speech business lines and growth opportunities in PDF solutions,” said Paul Ricci, ScanSoft’s Chairman and CEO. “Our increased focus on operational efficiencies and cost controls also contributed to improved operating margins. Our continued progress gives us increased confidence as we complete the year and prepare for the integration of the Nuance acquisition.”

Consistent with the Company’s strategy and recent trends, highlights from the third quarter include:

  • Record Achievement in Network Speech – The Company’s third quarter results were driven in large part by strong revenue from its range of network speech applications and services, particularly within North American enterprises and the telecommunications industry. Important contracts included BellSouth, GE, Marriott, SBC and Verizon Wireless.


  • New Design Wins for Embedded Speech – Continued demand for ScanSoft’s speech solutions and services among automotive and consumer electronic manufacturers contributed to record revenues in embedded speech. Important design wins for future vehicles, devices and applications included Plantronics, Motorola, BMW, Nokia and Magnetti Marelli.


  • Demand for Dictation in Healthcare – The healthcare and medical field remained a significant opportunity for the Company’s dictation solutions, affording new or expanded agreements with organizations such as Cardiology Consultants of Philadelphia and WakeMed. In the third fiscal quarter, the Company also closed its acquisition of MedRemote, enabling it to offer an expanded suite of dictation and transcription workflow solutions to hospitals and healthcare organizations.


  • Better PDF for Business – The Company expanded its family of PDF solutions with new versions of its award-winning PDF Converter software. Within the first two months of its introduction, the suite of products has exceeded launch targets in nearly every category and has been well received by customers, partners and the media.


  • Operational Achievement – The Company continued to focus on cost synergies and expense controls, resulting in additional improvements in its operating margins.

ScanSoft to Acquire Nuance

On May 9, ScanSoft announced a definitive agreement to acquire Nuance Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: NUAN), whereby ScanSoft will purchase all of the outstanding common stock of Nuance, merging the two organizations into a single company with the expertise and resources required to satisfy the increasing demand for powerful speech solutions. The acquisition is expected to close in September 2005, pending stockholder and regulatory approvals. For additional information, please refer to the Company’s recently filed registration statement on Form S-4.

Investor Call

In conjunction with this announcement, the Company will broadcast its quarterly conference call over the Internet this afternoon at 4:30 p.m. ET. Those who wish to listen to the live broadcast should visit the Investor Relations section of the Company’s Web site at www.scansoft.com at least 15 minutes prior to the event and follow the instructions provided to ensure that the necessary audio applications are downloaded and installed. The conference call can also be heard live by dialing (888) 428-4473 or (612) 332-0228, five minutes prior to the call and referencing conference code 792067. A replay of the call will be available within 24-48 hours of the announcement. To access the replay, dial (800) 475-6701 or (320) 365-3844 and refer to access code 792067.

About ScanSoft, Inc.

ScanSoft, Inc. (Nasdaq: SSFT) is a global leader of speech and imaging solutions that are used to automate a wide range of manual processes – saving time, increasing worker productivity and improving customer service. For more information regarding ScanSoft products and technologies, please visit www.scansoft.com.

Trademark reference: ScanSoft and the ScanSoft logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of ScanSoft, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other company or product names mentioned may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

SAFE HARBOR FOR FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements in this document regarding ScanSoft’s fiscal third quarter financial results; the future demand for, performance of, and opportunities for growth in ScanSoft's speech solutions and productivity applications; the growth of the speech industry and the demand for speech solutions; the continued strength of existing products, services and relationships as well as the introduction of new products, services and relationships; the proposed transaction between ScanSoft and Nuance, the integration planning efforts, and any other statements about ScanSoft management’s future expectations, beliefs, goals, plans or prospects constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact (including statements containing the words “believes,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “expects,” or “estimates” or similar expressions) should also be considered to be forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, including: fluctuations in demand for ScanSoft's existing and future products; economic conditions in the United States and abroad; ScanSoft's ability to control and successfully manage its expenses, inventory and cash position; the effects of competition, including pricing pressure; possible defects in ScanSoft’s products and technologies; the ability to consummate the proposed Nuance transaction; the ability of ScanSoft to successfully integrate Nuance’s operations and employees; the ability to realize anticipated synergies from acquired businesses; and the other factors described in ScanSoft’s Annual Report on Form 10¬K for the year ended September 30, 2004 and ScanSoft’s most recent quarterly report filed with the SEC, as well as the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus described above. ScanSoft disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this document.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND WHERE TO FIND IT

On August 1, 2005, ScanSoft filed with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Reg. No. 333-125496) containing a definitive Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus regarding the proposed transaction. Investors and security holders are urged to carefully read the Registration Statement and the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus as it contains important information about ScanSoft, Nuance, the transaction and related matters. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of the Registration Statement and the definitive Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC by ScanSoft and Nuance through the web site maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and security holders may obtain free copies of the Registration Statement and the definitive Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus from ScanSoft by contacting ScanSoft Investor Relations at (781) 565-5000 or from Nuance by contacting Nuance Investor Relations at (650) 847-0000.

ScanSoft and its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of ScanSoft and Nuance in connection with the proposed transaction. Information regarding the special interests of these directors and executive officers in the proposed transaction is included in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus described above. Additional information regarding these directors and executive officers is also included in ScanSoft's proxy statement for its 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on January 28, 2005. This document is available free of charge at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov and from ScanSoft by contacting ScanSoft Investor Relations at (781) 565-5000.

Nuance and its directors and executive officers also may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of ScanSoft and Nuance in connection with the proposed transaction. Information regarding the special interests of these directors and executive officers in the proposed transaction is included in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus described above. Additional information regarding these directors and executive officers is also included in Nuance’s proxy statement for its 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on May 2, 2005. This document is available free of charge at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov and from Nuance by contacting Nuance Investor Relations at (650) 847-0000.

 

             ScanSoft, Inc.
           Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
                 (in 000's, except per share amounts)
                              Unaudited

                               Three months ended   Nine months ended
                                     June 30,            June 30,
                               ------------------- -------------------
                                  2005      2004      2005      2004
                                --------  --------  --------  --------

Product licenses               $ 40,387  $ 34,648  $125,150  $101,968
Professional services            16,427    11,436    45,355    29,446
Related parties                       -        43         -     4,359
                                --------  --------  --------  --------
    Total revenue                56,814    46,127   170,505   135,773

Costs and expenses:
    Cost of product licenses      4,352     3,541    14,335    11,586
    Cost of professional
     services                    10,663     7,939    29,933    20,576
    Cost of revenue from
     amortization of
     intangible assets            1,752     2,805     7,260     8,656
                                --------  --------  --------  --------
      Total costs of revenue     16,767    14,285    51,528    40,818

    Gross Margin                 40,047    31,842   118,977    94,955

    Research and development      9,988     8,611    29,224    26,698
    Selling and marketing        18,667    16,096    56,793    50,447
    General and administrative    7,237     5,489    20,496    15,114
    Amortization of other
     intangible assets            1,083       635     2,731     2,154
    Stock based compensation        580       530     1,934     1,024
    Restructuring and other
     charges                      2,080         -     2,739     1,428
                                --------  --------  --------  --------
      Total operating expenses   39,635    31,361   113,917    96,865

Income (loss) from operations       412       481     5,060    (1,910)

Other income (expense), net         108      (206)     (458)      259
                                --------  --------  --------  --------

Income (loss) before income
 taxes                              520       275     4,602    (1,651)

Provision for income taxes          360       685     2,303       242
                                --------  --------  --------  --------

Net income (loss)              $    160  $   (410) $  2,299  $ (1,893)
                                ========  ========  ========  ========

Net Income (loss) per share:
 basic                         $   0.00  $  (0.00) $   0.02  $  (0.02)
                                ========  ========  ========  ========
Net income (loss) per share:
 diluted                       $   0.00  $  (0.00) $   0.02  $  (0.02)
                                ========  ========  ========  ========

Weighted average common shares
 outstanding:  basic            108,713   103,881   106,414   102,099
                                ========  ========  ========  ========
Weighted average common shares
 outstanding:  diluted          116,417   103,881   114,029   102,099
                                ========  ========  ========  ========


                            ScanSoft, Inc.
                 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
                            (in thousands)


                      Assets                       June 30,  Sept. 30,
                                                     2005      2004
                                                  Unaudited

Current assets:
    Cash and cash equivalents                      $ 22,588  $ 22,963
    Marketable Securities                             3,751     7,373
    Accounts receivable, net                         49,917    36,523
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets         7,208     6,629
                                                    --------  --------
                 Total current assets                83,464    73,488

Goodwill, net                                       309,220   246,424
Long term marketable securities                           -    17,355
Other intangible assets, net                         53,719    43,898
Property and equipment, net                          10,760     7,985
Other assets                                          5,972     3,503
                                                    --------  --------
Total assets                                       $463,135  $392,653
                                                    ========  ========


       Liabilities and stockholders' equity

Current liabilities:
    Short term note payable                        $ 27,830  $    457
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses            36,833    28,135
    Deferred revenue                                 12,599    10,529
    Deferred acquisition payment                     16,414         -
    Other current liabilities                         5,340     6,427
                                                    --------  --------
                 Total current liabilities           99,016    45,548
                                                    --------  --------

Long term portion of deferred revenue                    81       147
Long term note payable                                   36    27,700
Deferred acquisition payment                         15,880         -
Other long term liabilities                          18,357    17,513
                                                    --------  --------
Total liabilities                                   133,370    90,908

Stockholders' equity:                               329,765   301,745
                                                    --------  --------

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity         $463,135  $392,653
                                                    ========  ========


                            ScanSoft, Inc.
         Reconciliation of Supplemental Financial Information
                 (in 000's, except per share amounts)
                              Unaudited

                                      Three months      Nine months
                                         ended             ended
                                        June 30,          June 30,
                                   ----------------- -----------------
                                     2005     2004     2005     2004
                                   -------- -------- -------- --------

Non-GAAP Financial Measures:


GAAP net income (loss)                $160    $(410)  $2,299  $(1,893)
Cost of revenue from amortization
 of intangible assets                1,752    2,805    7,260    8,656
Amortization of other intangible
 assets                              1,083      635    2,731    2,154
Restructuring and other charges      2,080        -    2,739    1,428
Stock based compensation               580      530    1,934    1,024
Non-cash interest expense              286       43      638      199
Non-cash taxes                           4      652    1,008    1,014
                                   -------- -------- -------- --------
Non-GAAP net income (loss)          $5,945   $4,255  $18,609  $12,582
                                   ======== ======== ======== ========



Non-GAAP net income (loss) basic:    $0.05    $0.04    $0.17    $0.12
                                   ======== ======== ======== ========

Non-GAAP net income (loss)
 diluted:                            $0.05    $0.04    $0.16    $0.11
                                   ======== ======== ======== ========

Shares used in computing non-GAAP net income (loss) per share:

Weighted average common shares:
 basic                             108,713  103,881  106,414  102,099
                                   ======== ======== ======== ========

Weighted average common and common
 equivalent shares:  diluted       116,417  113,494  114,029  112,639
                                   ======== ======== ======== ========

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