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WideCOM Group - 4th May 1999

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BRAMPTON, Ontario, Canada.

WideCom introduces world's widest large format scanner.

The WIDECOM GROUP INC. (NASDAQ: WIDE) today announced the introduction of its 72" wide SLC972C model color scanner, a product used for converting engineering drawings, satellite maps and other large-sized media into an electronic format.

With the ability to scan up to 1/2-inch thick originals, the SLC972 is not limited to documents, but can also handle foam board and cardboard originals. With a suggested retail price of $24,900, the SLC972C color scanner is priced in the range of competitive scanners that scan only half that width.

The 72" wide SLC972C model color scanner, available for delivery in September, will be on display at the International Reprographics Association (IRGA) conference from May 5th to 7th in Long Beach, California.

"Automotive manufacturers, shipbuilders and aircraft manufacturers are among three industries that use extra-large-sized documents that could not be scanned until this introduction of the world's widest scanner, with a 72" scan width," said Raja S.Tuli, President of the WideCom Group Inc. "This new introduction illustrates our commitment to fill all tiers of product segments for the large format scanning industry with leading-edge technology solutions."

The SLC972 scanners offer an industry standard SCSI interface, scanning resolutions of up to 900 dpi and direct interfaces to a comprehensive suite of applications specific software - including Raster to Vector Conversion, Wide-Format monochrome and color Copying and Electronic Document Management Systems.

The color model (SLC972C) provides Graphic Arts and GIS (Geographic Information Systems) professionals with high color fidelity, 72 inch wide, 24 bit color images. The monochrome model (SLC972+), priced at $19,995 provides customers with Scan-to-File and Scan-to-Print application requirements with high-speed, high-quality scanning of black-on-white prints, bluelines, sepias, and other engineering originals. The SLC972+ is compatible with most popular thermal inkjet plotters and xerographic printers.

Enhanced fiber optic lenses direct light onto a single line of contact scan chips along a 72" aperture forming the Single Line Contact (SLC) scan module, which is the heart of the SLC972. Along with using the SLC technology for its product offerings, the Company's technology is also used by other manufacturers of small and large format scanners, under license to the Company. The SLC module overcomes problems associated with previous-generation staggered CCD cameras used to scan wide-format documents. When multiple CCD cameras are used for wide-format scanners, image misalignment, pixel distortion and time consuming electronic stitching are only some of the many problems that competing manufacturers face.

WideCom, incorporated in 1990, is rapidly becoming one of world's leading suppliers of high performance, wide-format scanning and printing technology. WideCom markets its products and technologies through international distributors and Value-Added Resellers (VARs) across six continents. Widecom's corporate headquarters is located near Toronto; its advanced research subsidiary, Technologie NovImage, Inc., is located in Montreal. Widecom has sales and service offices throughout the world including Houston, New Jersey, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, and Toronto.

Contact:
The WideCom Group Inc.
1-800-263-9433

About WideCOM Group
The WIDECOM Group Inc. designs, manufactures and markets, high-speed, high performance, wide format scanners, printers and digital copiers. WIDECOM has created an industry standard for innovative, wide format document scanning, printing and copying. Our vision is to maintain being the world’s most successful manufacturer of Single Line Contact - SLC scanning equipment for handling wide format documents. Our goal is to provide total satisfaction for our customers, opportunities for our team to grow and to deliver superior returns on investment for our stakeholders.

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