DICTAPHONE INTRODUCES VOICE RECORDING  SPEECH RECOGNITION SYSTEM FOR BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS

Boomerang 2.0 Incorporates IBM’s ViaVoice Transcription Combining The Power Of Voice With The Performance of Speech Recognition

STRATFORD, CT, June 15, 1998 Dictaphone Corporation today introduced its  newest version of Boomerang, a Windows 95-based voice messaging and  dictation system that incorporates IBM’s ViaVoice Transcription speech  recognition software. The solution enables professionals to record voice documents, and either convert them to text or send them as voice messages via e-mail. "Because Boomerang delivers the power of voice to network and stand alone computing, it is an essential tool for professionals in any field," said Tim Butler, General Manager of Dictaphone’s Integrated Voice Systems. "The integration of IBM’s ViaVoice into our newest Boomerang dictation product provides a revolutionary way to easily transform voice into text correspondence and documents."

Dictaphone’s Boomerang 2.0 combines a sleek, hand-held microphone with single action slide control for recording and audio playback and IBM’s ViaVoice speech recognition software. The system operates in any Windows 95 environment using industry standard Windows 95 e-mail protocols to send voice or text documents to any networked PC. It is an ideal solution for professionals in a wide variety of fields, from lawyers and doctors to journalists and business executives. In addition to saving time in the office, Boomerang with ViaVoice gives users the flexibility to be more self-sufficient while working at home.

"Voice is the most powerful method of communication and is emerging as  the next important user interface," said Ozzie Osborne, General Manager of IBM Speech Systems. "We have worked with Dictaphone to combine ViaVoice technology with Dictaphone’s experience in dictation and voice messaging to create this powerful solution for professionals and entrepreneurs."

User Benefits

Boomerang with ViaVoice includes the following unique benefits:

· Voice Document Editing. Boomerang gives users the control of speech recognition in the palm of your hand with Dictaphone’s easy-to-use editing capabilities prior to converting to text.

· Real Time or Batch Processing. Dictated voice files can be converted to text or e-mailed in real time for immediate use, or saved/stored for convenient batch processing at the end of the day.

· Network Messaging. With Boomerang, professionals are able to easily send voice messages via e-mail to colleagues and support staff.

· Voice Playback. With Boomerang Transcribe, users have hands-free, foot pedal control for playback and editing purposes.

· Plug-and-Play Installation. The product will be marketed as a user-installable kit incorporating software and a sleek, ergonomic hand microphone.

"With all the benefits this product brings to executives, we are  transforming the 'workplace of the future’ into one which fully integrates the power of voice," added Butler. "Dictaphone will continue its relationship with IBM to offer portable recording devices with desktop speech recognition for the mobile professional."

Availability and Pricing

The Boomerang 2.0 dictation and speech recognition package includes a  PC-integrated hand microphone and Boomerang software with ViaVoice speech  recognition engine supplied on CD-ROM.

Dictaphone’s Boomerang 2.0 with IBM ViaVoice Transcription will be  available October 31 through Dictaphone’s direct sales force, Dictaphone  Direct Catalog, authorized Dictaphone Dealers, independent dealers and  retailers, and the Internet. Boomerang will be sold at the retail value of  $349.

About IBM Speech Systems

IBM set the industry standard for speech recognition software when it launched the VoiceType family of products and expanded this standard in 1997 with the introduction of its ViaVoice family of products. With more than 25 years of research in the field, the company has built a team of speech recognition specialists worldwide, dedicated to the development, support, marketing, and sale of IBM speech solutions in many languages. For more information about IBM Speech Systems, visit the World Wide Web at http://www.ibm.com/ViaVoice.

About Dictaphone

Dictaphone is a leader in the development, manufacturing, marketing, service and support of Integrated Voice and Data Management (IVDM) (superscript: )systems and software, which include dictation, voice processing, voice response, unified messaging, records management and communications recording. Dictaphone has a worldwide marketing, sales, service and support organization of more than 1,600 representatives in more than 190 U.S. cities, the United Kingdom, Canada, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, France and Italy, and dedicated dealers in 40 other countries. Company sales revenues in 1997 were approximately $340 million. For more information about Boomerang or other Dictaphone products, visit us on the Internet at http://www.dictaphone.com or by calling 888.ivdm.com  (888.483.6266).

* IBM’s ViaVoice are trademarks or registered trademarks if International Business Machines Corporation.
** Windows 95 is either a trademark or registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.