Nuance launches ScanSoft Imaging Partner Program 16 February, 2006 By Paul Weinberg

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"The ScanSoft imaging partner program provides partners with skills, tools and products to assist them in the selling of higher margin products," stated Chris Strammiello, director of product management, productivity applications for Nuance.

"Nuance offers us a more neutral branding than Scan Soft, one that reflects our speech and our imaging business better."

An offshoot of Xerox, ScanSoft began as an imaging company that has acquired a number of other companies including two speech recognition providers Dragon Dictate and Dictaphone Corp. -- the latter focuses on healthcare.

Currently, ScanSoft's imaging solutions involve the sale of high-speed scanners, multifunction scanners and networked digital copier devices.

Nuance is recruiting VARs that seek to move up the value chain of imaging.

"As many VARs are moving upstream we have been getting more communication from them. They would like to get closer to Nuance and have a more direct relationship and support."

"It is not like they do not want to go through a distributor, but they would like some additional marketing support, training support. The kind of things you get when you move closer to the company itself."

"With the launch of its imaging partner program, partners can take full advantage of Nuance resources simply by demonstrating commitment and expertise," said Strammiello.

The benefits of ScanSoft imaging partner program, added Strammiello, include: specialized marketing and sales materials; access to customized partner Web site for regular updates and support; regular product updates; just-released software and training and support.