Adobe business app takes office documentation up in the cloud

How many times have you been emailed a document that needs to be printed, signed, scanned and e-mailed back to a sender? Too many times?

Well, a solution to this slow process is at the heart of Adobe’s new business application, which is designed to take users from paper-based workplaces to totally digital offices.

Adobe Document Cloud is a subscription service that allows users to electronically sign documents, or send files to others for e-signing without the recipient having to download any software. Then there’s an updated Acrobat DC PDF reader, which allows you to instantly edit scanned documents, and Document Management and Control, which allows you to track critical processes across multiple devices and protect sensitive information.

One of the best things about this new package is that it allows you to work more easily when out and about. You can start a document on your tablet at home, continue working on it at your desktop at work, and even send the finished documents on the way to the gym.

The interface might be as bland as it can get, but it is clear and much simpler to use than more advanced editing suites such as Photoshop.

When you upload a photo, for example, you will automatically be prompted to enhance the image and adjust the borders. The application can then read any text on the photo and convert it into its own font. Then you can add notes, password protection, a signature, check boxes, multiple-choice options, and even redact parts.

The forms, with bubbles that other people can easily fill in, save and send back to you, are another nice touch, and you can protect your documents from being copied or edited from the people to send them to.

Adobe has been cornering the market in plenty of business-related applications for a while now. This one feels like the sort of product that will quickly become indispensable to office managers and other business users who have to do a lot of paperwork. Just do not confuse it for a good-looking app that’s fun to use. Like the old version of Acrobat, it’s boring but functional, and very handy.

q&a well-documented benefits

Jessica Holland reveals more about Adobe Document Cloud:

What exactly is the Document Cloud?

It allows you to access the same document across many devices, but don’t think of it as just cloud storage. Think of it as the administrative equivalent of Adobe’s Creative Cloud or Marketing Cloud services, gathering together tools to help a business go paperless. The idea is that it helps businesspeople to work anywhere, edit anything, and keep a digital paper trail.

What’s the main reason I should get it?

You should take a look at the software if you are sending and receiving a lot of paperwork, and doing a lot of unnecessary scanning, time-consuming converting and editing or – perish the thought – still sticking documents in envelopes to post. Think about how Adobe’s Photoshop revolutionised the way that people edit photos. It is likely that this new version of Acrobat will do the same thing for the way we edit PDFs.

Any drawbacks?

The text recognition feature isn’t always flawless, and it doesn’t integrate with other cloud services.

What’s the payment plan?

There are trial versions of Acrobat Pro DC and the Document Cloud e-sign services, otherwise it is a $15 monthly subscription for Acrobat DC, Acrobat mobile and Document Cloud services.

Where can I download it?

Get the Windows or Mac version from acrobat.adobe.com.

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