SAN JOSE, Calif.--April 7, 2003-- Adobe Systems Incorporated, the leader in network publishing, today announced a broad strategic initiative that could promise to significantly reduce the costs and operational inefficiencies caused by disconnected data and document processes across the extended enterprise. Adobe is leveraging open standards such as XML and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF), best-of-breed products and technologies from Adobe and its partners, along with new system integrator relationships to deliver powerful, customized solutions adapted to enterprise requirements. Adobe's solutions for integrating data and documents into enterprise workflows addresses key problem areas facing enterprises today: automating forms, eliminating paper, and keeping compliant with government initiatives. Key components of the solution are Adobe's new Acrobat 6.0 family and Adobe's XML architecture (see separate announcements), which along with its suite of servers and solutions extend usability of existing processes and infrastructure helping to ensure better communication and interaction across a company's value chain. Together, these products enable reliable, efficient exchange of business-critical information inside and outside the firewall. The company also announced alliances with leading software vendors such as IBM, Intel, Access, Documentum, and PTC to deliver complete end-to-end document processes for applications such as content management, digital signatures, and product lifecycle management. Adobe is also working closely with top systems integrators, such as Accenture, to help ensure its customers realize quick time to benefit with their document-driven Adobe solutions. "Documents are the common currency of business -- from forms and contracts to customized reports and invoices. Our focus is on highly-regulated businesses where 'good enough' solutions are not acceptable," said Bruce Chizen, president and CEO of Adobe. "With our open approach to document integration, tailored to specific enterprise requirements, we are transforming the efficiency and value of documents across industries. Now organizations can benefit from solutions that offer universally-compliant, reliable and more secure viewing, multi-platform, multi-operating system and application-independent support, and high-fidelity document delivery." "Despite the trillions of dollars spent on digitizing business processes, firms -- and their partners -- are drowning in paper, faxes, and printer output," said John Dalton, Senior Analyst, in a recent report published by Forrester Research. "Organizations will begin transforming documents from a staid output format into dynamic interfaces for applications and processes." Strategic Alliances From creating intelligent forms and streamlining data collection, to sharing information securely and reliably across diverse enterprise boundaries, Adobe is working with leading enterprise companies to address the growing, multi-billion dollar problem associated with managing information flow throughout extended corporate and government enterprises. Adobe is working with IBM, Documentum and Open Text, as well as leveraging its established relationship with SAP, to bridge the gap between structured and unstructured data, helping businesses automate paper-based workflows. In the manufacturing segment, software from PTC and Agile will link with Adobe Acrobat desktop software to help companies better manage the product lifecycle process with enhanced review and mark-up capabilities. "IBM provides industry-leading enterprise content management software that enables businesses to solve the critical problem of managing all forms of content," said Brett MacIntyre, Vice President, Enterprise Content Management, IBM Software. "Adobe brings expertise in solving specific and complex document processing problems for its customers. Together, IBM and Adobe are closing the gap between documents, people and enterprise systems to help ensure efficient electronic business processes across the extended enterprise." In addition, Adobe is teaming with companies like Entrust and VeriSign to provide added security, trust and assurance for integrated document processes through new applications of digital signatures. Adobe and Intel are working together to promote mobile technology-based solutions that deliver high productivity for the collaborative mobile workforce, while Adobe's relationship with Access will help drive worldwide expansion of Adobe Reader and PDF to non-PC devices, such as set-top boxes, wireless devices and game consoles. Customers Recognize Benefits Large enterprise customers spanning verticals ranging from government to financial services and manufacturing are adopting Adobe's enterprise document integration solutions to improve services and increase efficiencies. In highly regulated industries such as pharmaceuticals, Adobe is working with companies like Amylin Pharmaceuticals, a leading developer of drugs for metabolic disorders and an advocate of business-to-business solutions. Amylin submitted a paperless New Drug Application for SYMLIN under the FDA's 1999 e-submission guidelines using Adobe's PDF. Using Adobe's software, Amylin was able to convert a 650,000-page paper document into one electronic application designed to streamline internal review, simplify maneuverability, and accelerate delivery of materials to the FDA for review. In the government segment for example, The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) deployed Adobe solutions to streamline the drug approval process from review to archiving. CBER has a crucial charter that includes everything from keeping the nation's blood supply safe to reviewing and approving childhood vaccines. "Electronic submissions enable our agency to handle more information faster, streamline internal operations, and improve our service to stakeholders," explains Michael Fauntleroy, Director of Electronic Submissions for CBER. "Sponsors can save considerable time and money as well, ultimately improving revenue and time-to-market for products since electronic regulatory amending submissions sent via email can arrive on reviewers' desks in eight to twelve minutes compared to three days to a week if delivered on paper."