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Comparison of Kodak InSite Creative Workflow System and Adobe Acrobat 8 Professional Software


This white paper provides a comparison of the Kodak InSite Creative Workflow System and Adobe Acrobat Professional Software, version 8.

   The Kodak InSite Creative Workflow System is a soft proofing and approval workflow delivering real-time collaboration and tools for managing the entire content creation cycle. Files are easily uploaded on the server and placed (manually or automatically) into “approval tasks” that can be created for specific stakeholders, to whom an e-mail requesting action is automatically sent. By using the Smart Review proofing tool, stakeholders can simultaneously review and annotate the file. Smart Review also lists all annotations and enables stakeholders to approve or reject each individual annotation.

   Acrobat 8 Professional Software provides a shared, file-based reviewing workflow that allows stakeholders to set up, organize, and manage document reviews. A PDF is placed in a mutually shared place (network share or webDAV), stakeholders are notified via e-mail and then provide annotations that are shared with other stakeholders, who can view all shared annotations. Acrobat 8 Professional Software offers a range of annotation and reviewing tools (such as sticky notes, pencil and rectangle tools), a window showing all annotations, and the ability to approve or reject annotations.

   Acrobat 8 Software is also available in an e-mail-based reviewing workflow. A PDF is sent as an attachment and each user opens, annotates, and then sends back their comments. The originator then uses the merge tools to join all user comments together.
 
   The following table compares the features and benefits offered by the InSite Creative Workflow System and Acrobat 8 Professional Software.
 
  Acrobat 8 Professional Software
 InSite Creative Workflow System
Image quality and viewing tools

Offers color-accurate viewing via manual set up, which increases the opportunity for errors

 Consistent and accurate image quality and viewing via quick and easy setup of color accurate viewing
Integrated file sharing Files can be shared by setting up a review, but users must be connected to the main network or using file sharing mechanisms like webDAV Offers full integration with the approval workflow with full access and user rights control
File format support Supports PDF format only Supports PDF, EPS, TIFF, JPEG, and bitmap, as well as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe InDesign Software files
Real-time collaborative viewing Files can be simultaneously viewed and comments shared in real-time, but requires manual sync to see other participants comments
Conduct simultaneous viewing and annotating of files in realtime; view list of active users; control sessions for others; use chat mode
Annotation tools
 Enhanced suite of tools for commenting and markup during the review process, including stamps Enhanced suite of tools for commenting and markup during the review process
Multiple approvals
 Files can only be shared within one review at a time; copying the file risks losing version integrity Files can be in as many approval tasks with same or different users as desired

Notifications

(i.e. e-mail)

 As each phase in the review process is completed, an email notification containing clear instructions on what to do next is sent to each user E-mail notification during the approval process; can also be used as notification for other events such as user set status, file upload, or download. Messages can be immediate or a daily digest of all events
Integration with other systems
 Integration with Version Cue when connected to main network server One of several Kodak Portal Products designed to work together. Fully integrates with the Kodak InSite Asset Library to support a reliable OPI workflow in conjunction with the Kodak Prinergy Workflow System
File security Anyone with access to the shared location can view the file Users must log in with a username and password to see the file and only users in task can create annotations
Change security Any user in the review can annotate, set annotations status, delete annotations, etc.; anyone with access to the file can change the file Ability to define a collection of user rights and permissions that determine what options a user has when participating in the review and approval process
Revision tracking Does not support file tracking revision. If the original file is changed, the older revision is lost. Full file revision tracking; when a new revision is created, the task is automatically reset to use the new revision
Review setup Setup requires an understanding of network shares and technical knowledge to provide access to those on WAN rather than LAN Simple task creation and no difference for users on LAN vs WAN
 
   Summary

   Acrobat 8 Professional Software offers a reliable way to accelerate the approval process, but it is limited when it comes to the process’s more complex requirements. Acrobat 8 Software only allows one file to be shared and reviewed at a time and does not provide any tracking of the overall set of project files, making it impossible to know if a file was shared or not. The InSite Creative Workflow System significantly shortens the approval process by allowing multiple stakeholders to simultaneously review the same image or file, while effectively tracking all file revisions.

   Acrobat 8 Software provides intuitive proofing and approval tools and may appeal to LAN only users where security access to PDF documents is not an issue, If more complex requirements such as easy access for WAN users, sophisticated security functionality and the ability to seamlessly integrate with a prepress workflow system are needed, then InSite Creative Workflow System is the more efficient solution.

   The InSite Creative Workflow System is an effective way to extend the value of your services. Offering the InSite Creative Workflow system as a value-added tool allows you to work more closely with your customers, as well as generate new revenue streams and differentiate your business from your competition.