Federal, State and Local Agencies Benefit from Better Data Interchange within Adobe PDF Forms via XML, and Enhanced Features for Making Acrobat and PDF More Accessible

FOSE, Washington DC, (March 20, 2001) (Nasdaq:ADBE)--At the FOSE show this week, Adobe Systems Incorporated, the leader in Network Publishing, is showcasing the latest benefits of Adobe® Acrobat® 5.0 software for emerging eGovernment initiatives. With Acrobat 5.0 software, Adobe is enabling governments worldwide to serve citizens better by moving paper-based processes to the Web and make government more accessible to the disabled.

For government professionals, interacting more efficiently and effectively with citizens, industry and other government agencies while meeting the demand to provide all citizens with equal access to government information and services is paramount. With Acrobat 5.0 and the Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF), government professionals can publish documents online with the confidence that they will retain the exact look and feel of the originals and that anyone with Acrobat Reader™, including citizens with disabilities can access them more easily.

"Governments around the world have recognized and leveraged the power of Acrobat and Adobe PDF to reduce paper-based processes," said Joe Eschbach, vice president of ePaper Solutions, Adobe. "With the introduction of Acrobat 5.0, we're delivering a product built on the widely accepted format that will enable agencies to further improve their online processes and help them make critical information accessible to citizens."

With Acrobat 5.0, Federal, State and Local government agencies will benefit from new electronic forms capabilities, and enhanced features for digitally signing and sending secure documents. Now forms data in PDF can be stored as XML, so that users can more effectively integrate Adobe PDF forms with back-end databases. Enhanced digital signature capabilities make it possible to provide legally binding transactions within a Web browser. Acrobat 5.0 also represents a major step forward in Adobe's ongoing efforts to make both Acrobat software and the information contained in Adobe PDF files accessible to people with disabilities.

Most notable, support for the Microsoft® Active Accessibility (MSAA) Application Programming Interface (API) for Windows® makes it possible for individuals with blindness or other visual disabilities to use assistive technology, such as screen readers. For example, users of screen readers from GW Micro or Freedom Scientific can read Adobe PDF documents and forms directly from within Acrobat 5.0 or the Acrobat Reader. For users with low visual acuity, Acrobat 5.0 supports high-contrast viewing, and the ability to zoom in and reflow text on the screen allowing users to more easily read Adobe PDF files. Additionally, Acrobat 5.0 includes enhanced keyboard shortcuts for users with a broad range of disabilities, including motor impairment.

Likewise, now customers can create and optimize files for use with assistive technologies such as screen readers. Users will be able to create 'tagged' Adobe PDF files that include logical document structure directly from Microsoft Office 2000 for Windows. This structure can then be revealed to assisitive technologies, indicating the precise reading order of document such as title, header, or lists, thus improving navigation. Finally, for users who wish to tag existing PDF files (those created with Acrobat 4.0 or earlier) to make them more accessible, Adobe expects to offer a downloadable plug-in, at no additional charge, for Acrobat 5.0 for Windows beginning Spring 2001.

For more information on Acrobat 5.0 and Accessibility visit http://access.adobe.com, http://www.adobe.com or come to the Adobe booths at FOSE this week in Washington D.C. Main Booth, #1720 and booth #1555 in the Section 508 Pavilion.

Founded in 1982, Adobe Systems Incorporated (www.adobe.com) builds award-winning software solutions for Network Publishing, including Web, print, video, wireless and broadband applications. Its graphic design, imaging, dynamic media and authoring tools enable customers to create, manage and deliver visually-rich, reliable content. Headquartered in San Jose, Calif., Adobe is the second largest PC software company in the U.S., with annual revenues exceeding $1.2 billion.

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