SAN FRANCISCO- Sept. 25, 2001-- Adobe Systems, Incorporated, the leader in Network Publishing, today announced the availability of the first software development kit for the Job Definition Format (JDF), an eXtensible Markup Language (XML)-based specification used to capture, manage and communicate job ticket information throughout a business process or printing workflow. Operating within the standards of the International Cooperation for the Integration of Processes in Prepress, Press and Postpress (CIP/4), the Adobe JDF Software Developer Kit (SDK) is a development toolkit designed to simplify and standardize the development of JDF-compatible workflow solutions for developers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The Adobe JDF SDK is used by OEMs and independent software vendors (ISVs) to speed implementation of Internet and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF)-based workflow systems, services and solutions. Based on XML, the toolkit will enable developers to build systems that allow end users to better collaborate and specify print jobs within the context of the job itself. In addition to a more collaborative and efficient workflow, JDF implementations give service providers the added ability to automate production, printing and billing processes. "Adobe is committed to building world-class printing technologies for the graphic arts and enterprise printing industries, and JDF plays a critical role in these markets,'' said George Cacioppo, vice president, Internet printing group at Adobe. "The Adobe JDF SDK applies leading-edge automation and job messaging technologies from Adobe Extreme and PDF workflow to the entire publishing workflow using XML and PDF.'' "Adobe's JDF SDK will accelerate the adoption and use of the open JDF standard across a wide range of production platforms and printing workflows,'' said Bert Van Hoof, vice president of engineering, ScenicSoft. "As an active CIP/4 member, we have implemented universal JDF-based job ticketing and messaging in our Preps and UpFront products. Other ScenicSoft products will follow suit. ScenicSoft has worked with Adobe on many projects since 1985 and strongly supports the company's efforts to shorten its partners' development cycles. The Adobe JDF SDK will help to bring fully compatible and compliant JDF-enabled products to the market sooner.'' Availability and Pricing JDF SDK is available immediately to OEMs and ISVs. For more information on the Adobe JDF SDK, contact [email protected] or Adobe OEM print sales.