Nuance Acquires eCopy, Extends Network Scanning Solutions that Connect MFPs
with Enterprise Applications
Combination to Lead Industry with Broad
MFP Support, Strengthen OEM Partnerships and Capabilities
Worldwide
BURLINGTON, MA, October 5, 2009 — Nuance Communications, Inc.
(NASDAQ: NUAN) today announced that it has acquired eCopy, a leading provider of
solutions that integrate paper documents into business software applications.
The acquisition of eCopy combines Nuance’s multifunction printer (MFP) desktop
solutions and eCopy’s server offerings to deliver network scanning solutions
that connect the widest range of MFPs to a broad set of business applications
and content management systems.
eCopy’s network scanning solutions are
offered by leading MFP vendors — including Canon, HP, Konica Minolta, Océ,
Ricoh, Toshiba and Xerox — providing organizations with an intuitive
touch-screen application that has a consistent user experience across devices.
eCopy’s solutions support document connectivity to more than 100 enterprise
applications, such as Microsoft SharePoint, EMC Documentum, Oracle and SAP,
adding value to an organization’s existing investments in database, CRM, content
management, legal, accounting and financial solutions.
“Nuance and eCopy
share a vision of connecting MFP devices to a wide range of applications in an
easy and productive way,” said Robert Weideman, general manager and senior vice
president of the Nuance Document Imaging Division. “eCopy has earned a strong
reputation for quality and innovation, and its team is respected for providing
high levels of customer and partner service. We look forward to welcoming eCopy
to the Nuance organization.”
A growing number of organizations are
combining scanning software with intelligent MFP devices to increase
productivity and reduce costs by creating efficient document workflows. This
allows organizations to easily move invoices into accounting systems, contracts
into practice management systems, patient records into electronic medical
records (EMR) systems, and office documents into content management systems. In
order for these workflows to be successful, MFP scanning solutions must be easy
to use, provide robust document processing capabilities, and support a variety
of content management systems and business applications.
“The MFP
industry is poised to benefit greatly from our mutual focus on delivering
integrated solutions that solve real business problems for customers,” said
Edward Schmid, eCopy president and CEO. “The combination of eCopy and Nuance
creates an organization that can drive the expansion of this opportunity, and is
an important advancement for our MFP partners and customers. We are pleased to
join the Nuance team and help fulfill our objective of putting paper to work.”
The combination of Nuance and eCopy results in:
Premier Desktop
and Server Products — The combination of Nuance’s MFP desktop solutions and
eCopy’s products — ShareScan, ScanStation and PaperWorks — result in scanning
solutions that maximize gains in productivity and cost savings and provide MFP
partners with an ability to deliver valuable solutions to more customers and
prospects.
Strong OEM Channels — Nuance and eCopy have developed innovative
solutions for, and strong partnerships with, the most extensive list of leading
MFP vendors in the industry, including Brother; Canon; HP; Konica Minolta; Océ;
Ricoh; Sharp; Toshiba; Xerox and others. The combination of the two companies
will serve to enhance these vendor partnerships worldwide and deliver greater
value to all OEM and channel partners.
Expanded Reach for Desktop Solutions
— eCopy has developed an effective sales team that supports channel partners
within enterprise accounts, with customers that include BP; Cisco Systems; GE;
Nissan; SAAB; Siemens; Sony Corporation; Sprint; Verizon Wireless; and Yahoo!.
In addition, these solutions are used by more than half of the largest law firms
in the U.S., providing a complementary channel and growth opportunity for Nuance
PDF Converter Professional, OmniPage and PaperPort desktop products.
Enhanced User Experiences — The addition of eCopy supports Nuance’s
strategic vision to deliver high-value solutions that enhance user experiences
and streamline business processes through the use of accurate recognition
technologies — speech, imaging and touch.
The acquisition is a natural
extension of Nuance’s existing document imaging business, and will enhance
profitability within the division. Under the terms of the agreement, net
consideration was approximately $54 million in Nuance common stock. The
acquisition will be accretive on a non-GAAP basis in Nuance’s fiscal 2010.
About eCopy
eCopy is an innovative provider of open and flexible
solutions that transform paperwork into paper that works. With more than 100,000
units of eCopy ShareScan sold, eCopy is the market leader in MFP document
imaging software. eCopy customers include GE, Time Warner Inc., Yahoo!, Nissan,
Verizon Wireless, BP, Sprint, Siemens, Cisco Systems, SAAB, and Sony
Corporation. eCopy is a global company headquartered in the United States, with
subsidiaries in Japan and the UK, offices in Germany, France, Scandinavia,
Canada, Singapore, New Zealand and Australia. For more information, visit www.ecopy.com.
Nuance Communications,
Inc.
Nuance is a leading provider of speech and imaging solutions for
businesses and consumers around the world. Its technologies, applications and
services make the user experience more compelling by transforming the way people
interact with information and how they create, share and use documents. Every
day, millions of users and thousands of businesses experience Nuance’s proven
applications and professional services. For more information, please visit: www.nuance.com.
Nuance and the Nuance logo,
OmniPage and PaperPort are registered trademarks or trademarks of Nuance
Communications, Inc. or its affiliates in the United States and/or other
countries. All other company names or product names referenced herein may be the
property of their respective owners.
Safe Harbor For Forward-Looking
Statements
Statements in this document regarding the product and service
capabilities of the combined company and the market for those products and
services, benefits and synergies of the transaction, future opportunities for
the combined company, and any other statements about 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,”
estimates and 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: the ability of Nuance to successfully
integrate the product and service offerings of the combined company, the ability
to retain eCopy’s partners and customers, and the other factors described in
Nuance’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008
and other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Nuance
disclaims any intention or obligation to update any forward looking statements
as a result of developments occurring after the date of this document.
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