Adobe Delivers New Server to Extend Functionality of Adobe Acrobat Reader; Software Helps Organizations Worldwide Leverage Adobe PDF to Offer Enhanced Services

Business Wire, Oct 21, 2002

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 21, 2002-- (NASDAQ:ADBE)

Adobe Systems Incorporated, the leader in network publishing, today introduced Adobe(R) Document Server for Reader(R) Extensions, new software that provides enterprises the ability to automate electronic forms and document processes-reducing reliance on inefficient paper-based workflows. With this new server, customers can now assign custom usage rights to specific Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) forms and documents that enable Acrobat(R) Reader 5.1 users access to additional features.

This software leverages the nearly half-a-billion copies of free Acrobat Reader software distributed to date. Acrobat Reader provides a universal way for governments and businesses worldwide to interact directly with citizens, customers and partners.

The additional features that can be assigned to an Adobe PDF document or form are commenting tools, digital signatures and the ability to save forms and forms data for offline completion, submission and archival storage. Completed Adobe PDF forms and forms data in the eXtensible Markup Language (XML) can also be easily integrated with an organization's backend systems to enable round-trip transactional workflows.

Adobe Document Server for Reader Extensions -- part of the Adobe server and solutions product line announced today (see separate announcement) -- comes as eGovernment initiatives take effect worldwide, requiring the public sector to provide broad access to services for citizens, businesses and other governments. In the United States, Federal agencies must adhere to the Government Paperwork Elimination Act (GPEA) by October 2003. It requires that they provide citizens the option of electronically submitting information or transacting business with an agency. Other initiatives, including Japan's Millenium Project and Germany's Bund Online, dictate similar requirements.

"The ability to streamline and fully automate the services we offer our diverse constituent base is critical. It supports our GPEA efforts and further enhances the nature of the interaction business and citizens experience with us," said David Pfaffenberger, IT specialist at the U. S. Department of Agriculture. "Technology that allows us to accomplish these ends, lower costs in the process, and integrate well with our IT infrastructure is without a doubt a welcome addition."

Businesses, especially those in regulated industries such as financial services and manufacturing, can benefit from deploying customer-facing and supply-chain applications leveraging the Document Server for Reader Extensions. For example, an insurance company can use this software to create a convenient electronic process for claims processing. Based on the rights assigned to the Adobe PDF documents involved in a claim, the customer can fill out, save, digitally sign, and return the forms online-simplifying this once paper-intensive and time-consuming process. Finally, since the claim is an Adobe PDF file, it can be easily shared, viewed, reliably secured, archived, or printed exactly as intended.

Pricing and Availability

Adobe Document Server for Reader Extensions pricing begins at US$75,000. The product is expected to be available by the end of the current calendar year. More information is available at http://www.adobe.com/products/server/readerextensions/main.html.> Acrobat Reader 5.1 is immediately available free-of-charge in English for Windows 98 Second Edition, Windows Millenium Edition, Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 5 or 6, Windows 2000, Windows XP Professional and Home, and Mac OS 9.1 and 10.1. The product can be downloaded at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html. Other language versions are expected to be available by the end of November. More information is available at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readermain.html.> About Adobe Systems Incorporated

Founded in 1982, Adobe Systems Incorporated (www.adobe.com), the leader in network publishing, offers a comprehensive line of software for enterprise and creative professional customers. Its products enable customers to create, manage and deliver visually rich, compelling and reliable content. Based in San Jose, Calif., Adobe is one of the world's largest software companies.

Adobe, the Adobe logo, Acrobat, and Reader are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries. Microsoft, Windows and Windows NT are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Sun and Solaris are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.