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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