Adobe ships updated form solution for speeding data capture processes.

Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) has announced the immediate availability of Adobe Form Server and Form Designer software for improving data capture processes across the extended enterprise. Through the combination of XML, HTML and secure electronic forms in the Portable Document Format (PDF), the updated software enables businesses and governments to improve data capture processes beyond the firewall. Now organizations can reliably communicate, receive and process information from their customers, partners and suppliers.

"Our business partners can complete critical transactions online, such as issuing surety bonds for clients," said Greg Davenport, assistant vice president and director of surety operations at SAFECO. "Agents nationwide can enter client data directly into our online forms, and in minutes receive everything they need to issue a compliant surety bond. The Adobe Form Server software eliminates manual processes and prevents lost or incomplete data. There's also no need to waste resources re-keying information because forms can be completed and submitted electronically. These efficiencies add up to significant administrative savings for us, our business partners, and their customers."

Adobe Form Server 5.0 enables virtually anyone to receive and view the form by automatically converting an XML template to PDF and various forms of HTML, depending on the device that is targeted to receive it. From PCs to handheld and wireless devices, forms can be delivered to multiple channels without downloads or plug-ins. With improved Adobe PDF integration, the Form Server allows end users to fill out a form either on-line or off-line. Additionally, the software improves the quality of data captured by including embedded calculations and validations, which speeds data capture into backend databases and improves the accuracy of forms submissions.

Adobe's enterprise form solution also includes Adobe Form Designer 5.0, a powerful tool for creating intelligent XML and PDF forms. An intuitive graphical interface allows for precision formatting and layout, while enabling connectivity to backend databases. The software automatically "tags" the data within the PDF document, which enables companies to leverage XML data by incorporating critical data and documents into existing enterprise systems. The Form Designer enables designers to easily create forms for use with screen readers and accessibility software, helping them comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (requires that information offered by Federal agencies is accessible to employees and members of the public with disabilities).

Adobe also shipped new versions of the company's products for document generation including Adobe Output Designer 5.5, Adobe Central Output Server 5.5 and Adobe Output Pak for mySAP.com 5.5. These new versions expand Adobe's family of server products that automate the document-intensive processes companies rely on to run their businesses. With the recent addition of Adobe Document Server and Adobe Document Server for Reader Extensions to Adobe's line of server products, Adobe's server solutions enable companies to integrate enterprise applications with document workflows throughout an organization, improving document generation, collaboration and process management across the enterprise.

Adobe server products are available immediately direct from Adobe, through Adobe-authorized corporate licensing centers and authorized VARs and System Integrators. Pricing for Adobe Form Designer starts at US$1,695. Adobe Form Server pricing starts at US$30,000 per CPU.