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January 31, 2007

Customer Round-up #0701

One of the entries on ARena from last year that seemed pretty popular was the round-up of customer success stories I provided.  So, with that in mind I've decided that once a month (fingers crossed) I'll provide a snap-shot of 4 or 5 recent case studies. I hope this is useful.

Gerling Group Insurance Service AG - a market leading business-to-business European insurer, with operations in more than 20 countries, has implemented an Adobe Flex-based RIA to its recently redesigned website that streamlines the claims process.

Gerling Switzerland wanted to use RIA technology to create an interactive and engaging user interface to the claims process. Using Flex they created a test application that far exceeded the very high expectations Gerling Switzerland had. In only four months the Gerling claim portal (GSMP) was developed and Gerling employee productivity increased by 30% as a result. In addition, customers are more satisfied because they have direct access to their cases.

SNS Bank - As the 5th largest bank in the Netherlands - with annual revenues of nearly €3.5 billion, over 3000 employees and 170 offices throughout the country - SNS Bank aims to provide its customers with as personal and flexible banking experience as possible.

To this end, SNS Bank implemented a Macromedia Breeze (now know as Adobe Acrobat Connect) solution enabling its mortgage advisors to offer live, online advice to customers. Consequently, customers can now receive mortgage advice where and when they want it, without having to visit an office or see an advisor at home. The new service, called SNS Live@dvies, is setting new standards for serving customers.

DSG International - a leading European electrical retailer - including well-known high street brands such as PC World, Currys, currys.digital, and The TechGuys - strives to provides its customers with a wide range of quality of products, competitive pricing and high standards of service.

DSG use a range of Adobe products, including the Creative Suite and Acrobat, to produce and distribute point-of-sale marketing material throughout its store network.  However, when a devastating oil explosion at a major fuel depot opposite DSGi’s headquarters acted as a catalyst for the team to use Adobe Acrobat more extensively.

Department of Trade and Industry - is the UK Government department responsible for trade, business, employees, consumers, science, and energy. In a world of rapid change and intense competition, DTI employees play a vital role in fostering conditions for business success and helping the UK respond to Globalization challenges.

To enhance productivity, the DTI implemented an electronic forms workflow built around Adobe LiveCycle software. The solution improves operations and efficiencies in Human Resources (HR) and other forms-based processes.

January 30, 2007

PDF to ISO:More links

Thanks to Kurt at the Acrobat User Community for these:

Wisdom of the PDF Sage - PDF goes to ISO

Wisdom of the PDF Sage - History of PDF Openness

AcroViews - A user's reaction to Adobe's decision to give PDF to ISO

Ted Padova's AUC Blog - PDF & ISO - Why?

Adobe to Release PDF for Industry Standardization

On January 29, Adobe announced that it intends to release the full PDF 1.7 specification to the Association for Information and Image Management International (AIIM) for the purpose of publication by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

According to Kevin Lynch - Chief Software Architect at Adobe: “Today’s announcement is the next logical step in the evolution of PDF from de facto standard to a formal, de jure standard. By releasing the full PDF specification for ISO standardization, we are reinforcing our commitment to openness. As governments and organizations increasingly request open formats, maintenance of the PDF specification by an external and participatory organization will help continue to drive innovation and expand the rich PDF ecosystem that has evolved over the past 15 years.”

Seems to me that this move means we can put to rest the "is it/isn't it" arguement around PDF's openness?

The press release and FAQ can be found here and here, and if you would like to know more please email me and I will direct the requests to the most suitable people in Adobe!

Also, here are a selection of articles and news following the announcement:

Duane Nickuls (Adobe) - http://technoracle.blogspot.com/2007/01/pdf-specification-released-to-aiimiso.html

Cote (RedMonk) -http://www.redmonk.com/cote/2007/01/29/one-last-thing-pdf-as-an-open-standard/

CNet - http://news.com.com/Adobe+to+send+PDF+to+standards+group/2100-1012_3-6154067.html?tag=nefd.pulse

InfoWorld - http://www.infoworld.com/article/07/01/29/HNadobepdfspec_1.html?source=rss&url=http://www.infoworld.com/article/07/01/29/HNadobepdfspec_1.html

Silicon.com - http://management.silicon.com/itpro/0,39024675,39165491,00.htm

ZDNet -http://news.zdnet.co.uk/software/0,1000000121,39285663,00.htm

eWeek - http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,2088277,00.asp

Mercury News - http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/business/technology/16572272.htm

Personal Computer World - http://www.pcw.co.uk/personal-computer-world/news/2173696/adobe-offers-pdf-open-standard

CRN - http://www.crn.com/sections/breakingnews/dailyarchives.jhtml;jsessionid=ANQ3Y3AJJPLP0QSNDLPCKHSCJUNN2JVN?articleId=197001260

VNUNet - http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2173723/adobe-submits-pdf-open-standard

PCPro - http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/103349/adobe-moves-towards-iso-standardisation-for-pdf.html

January 10, 2007

Big news from MacWorld

OK, so everyone is talking about the new iPhone - which I must admit looks very funky and will no-doubt fly off the shelves when it appears in stores on both sides of the Atlantic.

However, with all the noise around the iPhone and Apple TV you could be forgiven for missing the really big (from an Adobe pov) news from MacWorld - Adobe Ships Flex Builder for Macintosh Platform.

As always, if you want to talk to someone about all things Flex, drop me an email.

If your interested in Adobe's Flex, Flash and all things RIA, check out David Mendels' video here.