This is a 17 page paper with 10 sources analyzing the ADOBE program Acrobat X Pro. There is also an 8 slide Microsoft PowerPoint presentation that has been sent separately to the customer. This file details the specs of the program and rates the program on various factors. It also compares the program with 150 other programs available in the market. This paper has 10 resources.
Software Evaluation Project
Adobe Acrobat is a program created by the Adobe company for word processing and form creation. While there are many open source programs that offer similar features, Adobe Acrobat has become the office standard for creation and editing of documents. This paper will analyze the other available programs and determine whether Adobe Acrobat is really worth its high price.
Summary of the Software Category
My classification is based on affordability. Of the 125 document management software examples listed, 30 are free and 67 are free to try. Only 27 of them require a purchase to use. Payroll Master is one example of a free utility for the Windows platform. In addition, 72 of the results are $50 or less to purchase. For example, Document Manager is a $3 app for mobile devices.
Software
OS
Year
Price
License
Mipsis CRM & Document Management Software
Windows
2006
Free to try
DocPoint - Document Management Software
Windows
2010
$149
Free to try
KnowledgeTree Document Management System 3.7.0.1RC
Windows
2009
Free
Mipsis Document Management Software 7.7
Windows
2010
$295
Free to try
ImageViewer Document Management 2.1.11
Windows
2005
$99
Purchase
Bank Document Management 5.3
Windows
2011
Purchase
Gavel Legal Practice Management Software 2..8.2
Windows
2011
$400
Free to try
Document Organizer Deluxe 3.7
Windows
2011
$75
Free to try
EZNamespaceExtensionsMFC 2011 Build 611921
Windows
2012
$299
Free to try
ActiveQuality ISO 9000 Software 2.7
Windows
2006
$280
Free to try
HomeGed Pro 2010.1
Mac
2010
$60
Free to try
Digital Document Manager 3.7
Windows
2011
$75
Free to try
AbilitySuite Advanced Lifecycle Management Module R3
Windows
2004
$299
Free to try
Document Store Manager 1.9
Windows
2009
$149
Free to try
JumpBox for KnowledgeTree Document Management 1.1.9
Mac
2010
$19
Free to try
JumpBox for KnowledgeTree Document Management 1.1.10
Windows
2010
$49
Free to try
SoftRM Document Man 2.0.0
Windows
2011
$50
Free to try
Access Deluxe 1.2
Windows
2008
Free to try
HomeGed Pro 2010.1
Windows
2010
$60
Free to try
HomeGed Enterprise 2010.1
Mac
2010
$143
Free to try
HomeGed Enterprise 2010.1
Windows
2010
$143
Free to try
Sohodox 7.3.1.7
Windows
2011
$199
Free to try
Krystal DMS - Community Edition 4.0
Windows
2011
Free
Docsvault Small Business 5.1.1416
Windows
2012
$525
Free to try
Kordil EDMS 2.2.12
Windows
2009
Free
Docsvault Professional 4.0.1601
Windows
2011
$150
Free to try
Net-Cabinet Express Edition 1.1
Windows
2011
Free
Scanitto Pro 2.10.20.227
Windows
2011
$25
Free to try eDoc Organizer 3.6.1
Windows
2011
$50
Free to try pdf-Recover Professional 7.0
Mac
2010
$35
Purchase
Simple Doc Organizer Home Edition 3.0.1.20
Windows
2012
$102
Free to try
DocuXplorer 4.03.16.788
Windows
2011
$500
Free to try
Office PDF Server 5.0
Windows
2010
$699
Free
Document Manager
Mobile
2012
$3
Purchase
Benubird PDF 1.4.0.8
Windows
2012
Free
M-Files 5.0
Windows
2008
Free to try
KRYSTAL DMS -- Community Edition 3.0
Windows
2011
Free
Simple Doc Organizer Free Edition 3.0.1.20
Windows
2012
Free
Metamation 1
Windows
2007
$570
Free to try
StampIt for Word 7.0.56
Windows
2010
$20
Free to try
DOCUframe 1.1
Mobile
2011
Free
QPack Free Testing Tool Test Management 5.3.1
Windows
2009
Free
SharePoint for Project Management 1.0
Mobile
2009
$5
Purchase
OK-Inventory: trading business management 2.1.51
Windows
2010
Free
JumpBox for the Alfresco Content Management System 1.5.0
Mac
2010
$50
Purchase
IntrospeQt iCapture Desktop 1.0
Windows
2009
Free to try
Medical Record Management
Windows
2010
Free to try
Electronic Signature Software for Centricity 1.6
Mobile
2011
$5
Purchase
DocumentLite 3.0
Windows
2009
$495
Free to try
BordersHelper 1.5
Windows
2005
$248
Free to try
BlueDoc 1.2.2
Windows
2007
$159
Free to try
M-Files Express 5.0
Windows
2008
Free
Floodlight Manager 2.2
Windows
2010
$11
Free to try
Recent Documents Organizer 1.2.5.5
Windows
2010
$10
Free to try kManager - Knowledge Management 2004
Windows
2004
Purchase
Tunir Accountant 2007-7.8.9
Windows
2008
Free
FaxConsole 4.0
Windows
2011
$99
Free to try
Smart Contractor 2011.110.110
Windows
2011
$495
Free
MergeMaster 1.4
Windows
2008
$40
Free to try
My Folders 1.0
Windows
2009
$15
Free to try iSlips for PerfectLaw 1.1.0
Mobile
2011
Free
KSE Truefax 2.05
Mobile
2001
$35
Purchase
KSE Truefax 2.02
Mobile
2001
$35
Purchase
KSE Truefax 2.01
Mobile
2001
$35
Purchase
Tagit 1.2.3
Mac
2010
Free
mDMS by enprovia 2.1.0
Mobile
2010
Free
Omnipage Pro 18.0
Windows
2011
$500
Purchase
Simple Doc Organizer Light Edition 3.0.1.20
Windows
2012
$45
Free to try eDocPlus 3.12
Windows
2002
$75
Free to try
Document Suite 2008-1.21
Windows
2008
$60
Free to try
Text Editor / Notepad
Mobile
2007
$14
Purchase
Black Hole Organizer 3.22
Windows
2010
$25
Purchase
Distribute 1.2.1
Mac
2010
$129
Free to try
Newgen OmniDocs 7.1
Windows
2011
Free to try
BillQuick 2012-13.0.14.18
Windows
2012
Free to try
DocDockPro 1.2.1054
Windows
2006
$149
Free to try
Pinstripe V2 1.0 beta
Windows
2011
$40
Free to try
TopSales Personal 6.92
Windows
2012
$95
Free to try
Task Master Project Management 2.0.6
Mac
2006
$89
Purchase
Infotrove 3.3
Windows
2006
Free
Payroll Master 1
Windows
2008
Free
DocuTrack 4.0
Windows
2002
Purchase
Barcode Batch Separator 2.0
Windows
2010
$299
Free to try
SQL Sets Professional 1.5
Windows
2011
$149
Free to try
Compass Business Management Suite
Windows
2011
Free
Compass Business Management Suite 1.9.2
Windows
2011
Free
PaperPort Standard 14.0
Windows
2011
$100
Purchase
Notifybox 1.2
Windows
2011
Free
KSE Truefax 2.1 Phone Edition II
Mobile
2006
$50
Purchase
KSE Truefax 2.0 Phone Edition II 2.09
Mobile
2003
$50
Purchase
Pocket Roster - Mobile Staff Schedule Management 2.4
Mobile
2003
$25
Purchase
Xpert-Timer LIGHT 2.5.5.656
Windows
2010
Free
Xpert-Timer LIGHT U3 2.5.5.656
Windows
2010
Free
Housatonic Project Viewer for Web Server 2010-10.7.6
Windows
2010
$399
Free to try
WorkingPapers 2.2.2
Mac
2004
$99
Update
ActiveWire Software Database 1.1.85
Windows
2007
$199
Free to try eDoc Organizer Network Edition 3.0
Windows
2011
$240
Free to try
Soda PDF Pro + OCR 2012
Windows
2011
$100
Free to try
4X Ink UltraSaver - Ink Management Software 4.0.1.2
Windows
2007
$40
Purchase
Eroiica API 4.6
Windows
2005
$469
Free to try
Logik -- My Edition 3.0
Windows
2005
$149
Free to try
DocDockFree 1.2
Windows
2006
$149
Free to try
4X UltraSaver - Ink Management Software 4.0.1.2
Windows
2008
$40
Free to try
KSE Truefax 2004
Mobile
2004
$40
Purchase
FusePad 2009.011.13
Windows
2009
$59
Free to try
Its About Time 2006-1.10
Windows
2009
$20
Free to try myRichTexts lite 1.3
Mac
2010
Free
DocHaven 5.1
Windows
2011
$99
Free to try
MadCap Contributor 3.0
Windows
2011
$249
Free to try
Legal Suite 2012
Mac
2012
$199
Free to try iSO9001 0.1
Mobile
2011
$38
Purchase
eDoc 5.0
Windows
2011
$428
Free to try
BitNami KnowledgeTree Stack 3.7.0.2.1
Mac
2011
Free
Semantica DMS Community Edition 4.7
Windows
2010
Free
eDocScan Lite 2.0.2.1
Windows
2011
$89
Free to try iDocument 1.6.35
Mac
2011
$50
Free to try
Scanner Pro
Mobile
2012
$4
Purchase
Works SuperContainer 1.8
Mac
2008
$195
Purchase
KBDesk 1.0.0.0
Windows
2011
Free
Intellexer Categorizer 1.2
Windows
2010
$25
Purchase
CourtAlert CaseToGo 1.0
Mobile
2010
Free
Librarian From JSSL 1.4
Windows
2002
Free
FilesOnTheGo 1.1
Windows
2003
$90
Free to try pdf-Recover 7.1.1
Mac
2010
$27
Purchase
Presto BizCard 6-6.10.10
Windows
2010
$70
Free to try
Adobe Acrobat X Pro 10.1.1 is designed for creating PDF files with a high degree of flexibility. In the design stage, users can collaborate online by reviewing documents, adding comments, and modifying the content. Acrobat X Pro-also includes form functionality to get feedback which can be analyzed to evaluate business processes. Media such as video can also be included seamlessly into the PDF documents.
PDR Converter Professional 7 by Nuance also includes the ability to add media such as video and audio into PDF files. The main attraction with this package is its ability to integrate the Microsoft Office programs with PDF creation.
Nitro PDF Professional also integrates with Microsoft office. It includes accurate conversion of PDF files to the Office platform. Security and digital signatures are also supported.
FoxitPhantomPDF is geared toward creating professional looking documents that can be used for agreements. These can be digitally signed and archived to save time and add flexibility. It is customized in three forms to fit the needs of different sized businesses.
Description of Feature Software Package
Acrobat X Pro-version 10.1.1 is made by Adobe. Adobe is a growing company in the document and multimedia business. One of their most notable decisions was purchasing Macromedia which included the very commonly used Flash platform. This software package is geared towards small and large businesses. It is designed to work well with presentations and forms. The automation features allow multiple steps to be recorded and repeated to save time on repetitive tasks. It requires Windows XP or newer along with 512 MB RAM and 1946 MB of hard drive space. A full license costs $449.
Software Evaluation Matrix
The first factor is time for new users to learn basic functions. An appropriate rating in this category would be a 6. The user interface layout is very standard and easy to navigate. Most commonly used functions are easy to find in the menus. However, some features such as trying to select text may be tricky for some users to locate at first.
Another factor is the value of the software. This area rates at a 5. While the software has many useful features, there are many alternatives available with much lower price tags. Adobe's name recognition allows them to charge higher prices for their software much like companies such as Microsoft and their Office software.
The third factor is usefulness. While the needs of businesses vary, a suitable rating would be a 7. Most businesses have documents such as sales information, forms, or business processes that lend themselves well to the PDF format.
Security is another factor businesses with sensitive information must consider. With the high level of security available, the security rates a 7. From password protection to digital signature support, this is a safe option for businesses to trust.
The fifth factor is the features that are included. With support for everything from videos to archiving forms, this also gets a 7.
Another factor is compatibility. This is an area where there has been some major growth. In the earlier days of PDF files, computers did not come with support for them and fewer users had the ability to open them by default. Now, most users are able to open and use the files without any issues. There are many supplementary utilities that increase the compatibility of PDF files with Office to bridge this gap. As a result, the compatibility rates a 6.
Software Tutorial
Once the software is installed, begin by selecting "Create PDF" from the selection menu.
Next, select a file for conversion. The file must be in a useable format in order for it to be accessed. The best file types for PDF conversion are .doc, .rtf, and .txt. Microsoft files are compatible with Adobe Acrobat, but open source programs such as Open Office are not compatible.
Once the file is selected, Adobe will "print" the file, converting it into a .pdf. This process may take some time depending on the complexity of the document. Once the document is done printing, Adobe offers options for enhancing, improving, and using the .pdf.
At the top of the page is a standard toolbar with options to save, edit, view, and get help with the file. Under this toolbar are the options for creating another PDF, opening another file, printing the document, emailing, adding commentary, highlighting, and turning. The next group of toolbars allows for editing of the file. By selecting the "tools" option, you can change the various aspects of the pages including background, watermarks, and even bates numbering.
When complete editing is accomplished, save the PDF and either print or simply send via email to save on paper.
Work Samples
This first work sample shows what can be done with two of the basic editing features. This was created by first adding a purple background. Next, the watermark option allowed for a text entry of the word "Beautiful." Then, the word's opacity was reduced so that it was lighter than typical text, allowing it to look like a standard watermark. This image only took a few minutes to create using the various features available in the side menu.
Text can be deleted and changed using the "Content" option. This option also allows for editing objects, linking web pages, adding bookmarks, and attaching files. This feature has over 100 different fonts and allows for larger or smaller font size for optimal personalization.
This last sample shows what can be done with picture files. The picture was cropped, the date added in the footer and a title added to the header.
Development Challenges
This was not an easy program to learn, but once I learned how to use it, it was fun. The first challenge that I encountered was with uploading the program. Each time I tried uploading the program and then opened another window, the program's installation would stop and had to be resumed.
Next was the issue with discovering that my open source software, Open Office, is not compatible with Adobe Acrobat. I tried multiple times to open files that were saved as .doc, but none were recognized by the program. I finally figured out that the files must be saved as a more basic file type. I changed the file type to .rtf and the files easily converted.
I then discovered how unstable the program can be when it is not functioning properly. While trying to upload a file, the program froze. When I tried to close the program, it continued operating in the background and would not stop until I shut it down using the task manager. At one point, I finally just restarted the computer because the program had activated itself so many times in the background.
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