Sparks Medical Center Prescribes Nuance Speech Recognition Software to Link Hospital Staff

Business Wire, Sept 23, 2002

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 23, 2002

Voice-Enabled Directory Assistance System from Amcom and Nuance

Translates into Decreased Hold Times, Quicker Connections

Connecting physicians, nurses and other staff at Sparks Regional Medical Center has never been simpler, thanks to Nuance (Nasdaq:NUAN), the speech software experts, and Amcom, a leading developer of speech and web-enabled call processing. The companies recently implemented a Nuance-powered voice activated directory assistance system, Smart Speech(TM), at the Fort Smith, Arkansas-based hospital. The system reduces hold times by allowing hospital staff to connect with each other quickly and easily. Moreover, it has reduced call-processing times by more than 20 percent, allowing the hospital's call center staff to better handle a greater number of daily calls.

"Before we installed Nuance speech software into our call system late last year, our overburdened operators were racing to answer thousands of internal directory assistance calls in addition to urgent calls from the outside," said Marvin Thomas, Manager of System Telecommunications and Mail, Sparks Health System. "When speech recognition entered the picture, we were able to automate directory look-up requests for our 4,600-person database. Now, our operators can apply their energy toward more urgent matters and complex requests."

"Fast and scalable, the Amcom-Nuance solution is ideal is for customers such as Sparks that demand the utmost in reliability," said Ron Croen, President and CEO, Nuance. "In addition to drastically reducing costs, and bringing about a rapid return on investment, voice-driven applications such as Amcom Smart Speech also result in increased customer satisfaction, as requests are dealt with quickly and efficiently."

About Nuance

Nuance is the speech software expert. Nuance speech recognition, voice authentication and text-to-speech products enable people to access information and services anytime, anywhere, and from any phone. And the Company's comprehensive service offerings simplify the delivery of speech solutions. In markets around the world, leading carriers and corporations -- including British Airways, Nomura Securities, OnStar, Sprint PCS, United Parcel Service, Vodafone, and many more -- work with Nuance to reduce costs, increase customer satisfaction and retention, create new sources of revenue and improve security. Nuance is headquartered in Menlo Park, Calif. and has offices around the world. For more information, visit www.nuance.com or call 1-888/NUANCE-8.

About Amcom Software, Inc.

Amcom Software Inc. is a leading developer of speech and web-enabled call processing, directory and on-call scheduling software, CTI console and call center applications, and Enhanced 911 Notification solutions. Amcom supplies its products and services to a wide range of customers in healthcare, education and government, including Yale, Stanford and Duke Universities and the U.S. Senate. A privately held company, Amcom has regional sales offices throughout the United State. For more information, call 800/852-8935 or visit www.amcomsoft.com

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including, for example, those relating to the capabilities, cost savings and other benefits of Nuance software and services, the anticipated success of deployments using Nuance software and services and the customer adoption of services based on Nuance technology. There is no assurance that the results contemplated by any forward-looking statements will be realized. The following factors, risks and uncertainties, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those described or implied in this press release's forward-looking statements: the risk that deployments using Nuance software will not achieve anticipated cost savings or other benefits or will not achieve customer adoption or broad commercial success; and other factors described in Nuance's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to Nuance's last-filed annual report on Form 10K and quarterly report on form 10-Q. Nuance does not undertake to update any oral or written forward-looking statements that may be made by or on behalf of Nuance.

Note to Editors: Nuance is a trademark of Nuance Communications, Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.