Article Abstract:
Companies that try to market publishing and design tools to both the professional and consumer markets are finding it difficult to balance the two markets' differing demands and sales structures. Companies such as Adobe made their fortunes primarily by selling expensive software and licensing programs to graphics arts professionals. Now, to find room to grow, such companies have to adjust to a market consisting of millions of casual computer users. They have to simplify and streamline their products. They have to design attractive packaging and lower their prices, and lowered prices means many units must be sold. Dealing with the 'channel,' consisting of distributors, wholesalers and retailers, requires an approach that differs radically from what many companies are used to.
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Article Abstract:
Keynote speakers at the Seybold San Francisco/Publishing 98 included Apple's CEO Steve Jobs and Microsoft's Pres Steve Ballmer. Jobs demonstrated the Mac 8.5 OS, while Ballmer discussed the virtues of 3D Web technology. There were no truly innovative Web products at the show. However, publishing products from Adobe Systems, GoLive and MetaCreations were announced. Kodak showed off two professional-level digital cameras. Numerous digital asset management systems (DAMs) were on display. The usual players including Canto, Cascade Systems and Imation were promoting their publishing offerings, while new players included WarmNet, Heidelberg Prepress and North Plains Systems. Other offerings include workstations, PDF and wide-format printers.
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Article Abstract:
The appeal of application service provider (ASP) services, which enable companies to rent 'anywher, anytime' software applications, is that companies are freed up to focus on what they do best rather than investing time and money in relatively unfamiliar technologies. According to Forrester Research, the ASP market will grow rapidly and will be valued at $11.3 billion by 2003.
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