Get All Access for $5/mo

Adobe's Latest Product Lets You Turn a Photo of a Document Into a Fully Functional Digital File The global software giant's new mobile-optimized cloud streamlines the process of creating, editing, sharing and signing documents on the fly.

By Kim Lachance Shandrow

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Adobe

Adobe Systems is once again stepping up its cloud document game, this time with a mobile-friendly twist and a dash of Photoshop magic.

The global software giant today announced its latest cloud computing product, Adobe Document Cloud, a new, streamlined document creation, editing and sharing experience that will work seamlessly across mobile, desktop and web platforms. It's Adobe's third major cloud release to date, joining Adobe Creative Cloud and Adobe Marketing Cloud.

The subscription-based all-in-one cloud document services solution features a completely overhauled "mobile-first" Adobe Acrobat and Reader combo (called Adobe DC), a set of tools that enable users to create, manage, fill out, sign and share PDFs -- the ubiquitous file type Adobe introduced to the world some 22 years ago.

Related: Hey Designers, Dream On

The goal of the new offering, Kevin Lynch, Adobe senior vice president and general manager of document services told Entrepreneur, is to "revolutionize and simplify how people get work done with critical documents, from helping you get a contract signed as soon as possible, to collecting comments on a document from clients and customers, to even getting them to read your white paper."

Outfitted with a new, mobile-optimized Tool Center, Acrobat will enable users to more easily accomplish a variety of document management and distribution tasks via its freshly touch-enabled interface, all within their personal Adobe document hub in the cloud -- directly from their smartphone, tablet, laptop or PC.

Related: Adobe Releases Free App for Making Narrated Video Presentations

In addition to creating, reviewing, approving, e-signing, tracking and commenting on docs from the Document Cloud, users will also be able to accomplish something really cool thanks to Photoshop technology -- instantly and automatically convert any paper document into a digital file that can then be modified, keyword-searched and sent for signatures, without losing any of its original formatting. We witnessed this convenient feature in action firsthand and it's pretty slick, particularly the cherry image enhancement capabilities that we've come to expect from Photoshop over the last 25 years.

Subscribers to Adobe Document Cloud will also have access to Adobe's eSign Services (formerly Adobe EchoSign). They'll also be able to use two new companion Adobe mobile apps for free -- Acrobat Mobile, which stores your files, settings and signatures, and Fill and Sign, a handy auto-complete feature.

The Acrobat DC and Adobe Document Cloud package will be available for $14.99 per month and is expected to be available within 30 days.

Related: Adobe, Apple, Microsoft and Other Tech Giants Invest $1 Billion to Get Kids Online

Kim Lachance Shandrow

Former West Coast Editor

Kim Lachance Shandrow is the former West Coast editor at Entrepreneur.com. Previously, she was a commerce columnist at Los Angeles CityBeat, a news producer at MSNBC and KNBC in Los Angeles and a frequent contributor to the Los Angeles Times. She has also written for Government Technology magazine, LA Yoga magazine, the Lowell Sun newspaper, HealthCentral.com, PsychCentral.com and the former U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. C. Everett Coop. Follow her on Twitter at @Lashandrow. You can also follow her on Facebook here

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

The Side Hustle He Started in His College Apartment Turned Into a $70,000-a-Month Income Stream — Then Earned Nearly $2 Million Last Year

Kyle Morrand and his college roommates loved playing retro video games — and the pastime would help launch his career.

Business News

New Southwest Airlines Major Investor Wants to Force Out CEO, Slams Company's 'Stubborn Unwillingness to Evolve'

Elliot Investment Management announced a $1.9 billion stake in the Dallas-based Southwest Airlines on Monday and is urging shareholders to vote for new leadership.

Science & Technology

Why We Shouldn't Fear AI in Education (and How to Use It Effectively)

Facing resistance to new technologies in the educational process is nothing new, and AI is no exception. Yet, this powerful tool is set to overcome these challenges and revolutionize education, preparing students and professionals for a future of unparalleled efficiency and personalized learning.

Business News

Elon Musk Threatens to Ban Employees from Using Apple Products, Says Will Lock Devices in 'Cages'

The Tesla founder sounded off on X following Apple's 2024 Worldwide Developer Conference on Monday.

Business News

Apple's AI Has a Catch — And It Could Help Boost Sales

Not every iPhone owner will get to use the new Apple Intelligence.

Business News

Y Combinator Helped Launch Reddit, Airbnb and Dropbox. Here's What I Learned From Its Free Startup School.

The famed startup accelerator offers a free course on building a business — and answers five pressing questions for founders.