THE MARKET page layout and PDF creation software, as well as Founded in December 1982 by tools for video and mobile authoring. and , who shared a vision for Adobe is increasingly integrating services publishing and graphic arts that would forever into its creative professional products, with change how people create and engage with Adobe Stock Photos, localised professional information. Now one of the world’s largest Photographer directories and Expert Support software companies - generating annual revenues offerings. exceeding R19 billion (in 2006) - Adobe Adobe’s flagship Photoshop software - as provides complete and innovative solutions for well as comprehensive professional digital video its customers. platform for film, broadcast, Internet and DVD Headquartered in San Jose, California, Adobe - helps professionals and hobbyists edit, manage has been establishing a fast-growing network in and share images and video with the highest Africa over the last few years. South African quality results. The company is also a leader customers can access products and solutions in digital video and high-definition (HD) with through a dedicated network of authorised its Adobe Production Premium an integrated distributors, resellers and training partners and a solution for professional videographers and regional office. Enterprise and education clients filmmakers. deal with a dedicated distributor and value-added The January 2007 Adobe Systems headcount resellers (VARs). was 6,427 employees, about 40 percent of whom their first Original Equipment Manufacturer Today, Adobe’s powerful technology platform, work in San Jose, California. Adobe also has (OEM) contract the following year. By 1986, built around Adobe PDF and Flash technology, major development operations in Seattle and San Adobe was posting an annual revenue of US$16 greatly enhances how people create, manage, Francisco, India and Canada. million. In the same year the Library deliver, and engage with information. Free Adobe Adobe offers its products through three was launched, followed by in Reader® and Flash Player software—already focused distributors, an Educational Licensing 1987. 1988 saw revenue reach US$83 million deployed on hundreds of millions of computers, Centre and an Enterprise Licensing Centre, which and the headcount hit 291. mobile phones and smart devices worldwide— work with reseller partners and retail outlets to In the mid-1980s, soon after introducing enable people anywhere to engage, collaborate, bring product to the South African market. PostScript, Adobe entered the consumer software and act on information and content, through the market with Adobe Illustrator, a vector-based web, enterprise applications, online meetings, ACHIEVEMENTS drawing program for the Apple Macintosh. and digital documents. Adobe has consistently won awards, showing it is 1989 saw the launch of Large enterprises and governments worldwide indeed a Superbrand. These industry, trade, and for the Macintosh. While Photoshop 1.0 had are among Adobe’s fastest-growing customer customer awards have included: competitors, it was extremely stable and well- segments. 3 is becoming featured. Adobe had the resources to promote the platform for the future of design and • Adobe Photoshop: 2005 Superior Technology it and market domination came quickly. Adobe publishing. The suite combines the best available Award Recipient (STAR) by TV Technology Acrobat was launched in 1993, closely followed digital imaging, vector graphics, web publishing, Magazine by PageMaker and After Effects in 1994. Between 1998 and 2005, the company • Adobe InDesign: 2005 Webby Award from launched 28 new products, packages or The