Kal Korff

Adobe Takes to Cloud Computing

byKal K. Korff

Internationally SyndicatedCopyright © 2011 by Kal K. Korff - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Adobe, the maker of popular imaging and layout software such as PhotoShop and InDesign, is embracing cloud computing, offering the customers some financial savings as well as reducing the cost of physical deployments. Adobe has long been criticised for the prices the firm charges for the creative suite of software packages, which includes such popular titles as PhotoShop, InDesign, Illustrator, Flash, Fireworks and DreamWeaver. Depending on the configuration being purchased, costs can range anywhere from $1,000-$4,000.

The companies which buy Adobe’s offerings, have complained for years that costs are not decreasing, while software prices in the market overall are in decline. To address these concerns, Adobe has announced their new cloud initiative which will allow its customers to log into their online service and choose a la cart what software programs and tools they wish to use. Depending on the items chosen, costs can be as low as $49.99 per month, which is a considerable savings for some, depending on what software they might be using.

‘Adobe Creative Cloud will be our most comprehensive creative solution ever, giving members access to all of the CS6 desktop software plus additional services, new tools, Adobe Touch Apps, and rich community features. In addition, Creative Cloud members will receive continuous upgrades and updates to all products and services as part of their membership,’ the company boasts in a press release given to the media.

Cloud computing also has the benefit of being essentially maintenance free. Under Adobe’s current scheme of operating, individual DVDs are sold which must be installed on each computer system by an IT department. By using the cloud, the need for physical disks and physical installations becomes irrelevant. While this move by Adobe

to cloud computing will undoubtedly be welcomed by some customers, there are potential hidden costs in sticking strictly to the cloud as a way of doing things.

While Adobe says that this price includes ‘free upgrades,’ the company has not specifically said that this includes all of their major new releases. Until these and other ambiguities are clarified by Adobe, consumers are likely not to jump into their cloud.

Adobe also claims that they will make ‘tools and services’ available for their Creative Cloud users. These include 20 gigabytes of free storage (there is an additional cost if more space is needed), access to Adobe’s extensive font libraries, automatic sync of data between your online stored content and your PC, as well as access to iPad and mobile apps.

Many of these extra services do not come with the cost of $49.99 per month, Adobe has been careful to say that their pricing plans ‘start’ at ‘just $49.99 per month,’ which is an important caveat.

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Kal K. Korff is an officially accredited internationally known author, columnist and investigative journalist.

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Copyright © 2011 by Kal K. Korff - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this content may be reproduced in any form nor by any means without the express, written consent of Kal Korff. “Fair use,” does NOT apply. By reading this document, you willingly agree to be legally bound by its terms and conditions. Violators of this policy will have a felony DMCA Copyright infringement notice filed against them with law enforcement. First time offenders may be fined up to $500,000, imprisoned for five years, or both. For repeat offenders, the maximum penalty increases to a fine of $1,000,000, imprisonment for up to ten years, or both. This is a DMCA protected document, illegal copying and/or reproduction of its contents are tracked on the Internet and reported to law enforcement for felony prosecution.

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Copyright © 2011 by Kal K. Korff - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this content may be reproduced in any form nor by any means without the express, written consent of Kal Korff. “Fair use,” does NOT apply. By reading this document, you willingly agree to be legally bound by its terms and conditions. Violators of this policy will have a felony DMCA Copyright infringement notice filed against them with law enforcement. First time offenders may be fined up to $500,000, imprisoned for five years, or both. For repeat offenders, the maximum penalty increases to a fine of $1,000,000, imprisonment for up to ten years, or both. This is a DMCA protected document, illegal copying and/or reproduction of its contents are tracked on the Internet and reported to law enforcement for felony prosecution.