Adobe and FedEx Kinko's snuggle up and push everyone else aside

Anger has continued to mount ever since Adobe announced its plans to include a button in the latest Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Reader 8.1 connecting users to FedEx Kinko's printing services.

In Australia, Printing Industries CEO Philip Andersen said he was surprised and disappointed with Adobe's alignment with one international print provider at the expense of tens of thousands of print companies globally who, together with their customers, use Acrobat as a defacto industry standard.

"Adobe's announcement seems to focus more on new production flow capability of its software without recognising the negative impact such a narrow collaboration could have on its international printing industry customer base who use Adobe products and are competitors to FedEx Kinko's either in the USA or elsewhere," he said.

"Adobe's own statement tells us that more than half a billion copies of Adobe Reader have been distributed worldwide on 23 software platforms in 26 languages, so this is a very significant move."

Andersen said that while it appeared the intention was to direct document printing to FedEx Kinko's within the USA, the Acrobat button also accesses information on the FedEx Kinko's website directing clients to international offices in nine other countries including Australia.

"We have contacted Adobe to both in Australia and in the USA expressing the concerns of our industry and are awaiting a formal response.

"We have also been in touch with our sister organisation, Printing Industries America (PIA) who share our concerns. They will be meeting with Adobe officials in the US soon and will also add our concerns to those of US printers."

Defending the plans, which many believe favours FedEx Kinko's and threatens other printers, Sonya Thorpe, a spokesperson for FedEx Kinko's said that: "The relationship between Adobe and FedEx Kinko's was established with our customers in mind. The link to FedEx Kinko's through Adobe Reader gives our customers quick, convenient access to our network of office and print centres throughout the United States. We value this alliance and believe it provides a simple printing option for many users of Adobe Reader."

In America, the decision has attracted criticism from PIA (Printing Industries America), who believe that it insults industry loyalty.

"When it was discovered that Adobe had made the decision to include a 'send to FedEx Kinko's button' in Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Reader, we felt terribly betrayed by the company who has been supported by the printing industry," said Michael Makin, president and CEO of PIA.

"It is our hope that Adobe's CEO, Bruce Chizen, will realise the mistake that has been made and rectify the situation as soon as possible."

In his analysis on Whattheythink.com , Dr Joe Webb pointed out that this bout of Adobe rage could easily boost competition for its rivals.

"Now is the time for Quark, Corel and others to step up and offer what their proprietary solutions are to our industry's workflow issues," he wrote. "If they don't take advantage of this short window of opportunity, that would be a telling surprise. They have good products, in production everyday, and they are probably worth re-examining."

Quark would not consider following in the footsteps of Adobe, according to local spokesmen, Graham Freeman. He said that Quark would not favour one printer over the other, and instead works to incorporate each company equally.

"At a time when the printing industry is dealing with increased pricing pressure and consolidation across the board, Quark's approach is to provide equitable support to all printers who have invested in our products," he said.

"We believe this is ultimately more conducive to building a thriving, competitive and profitable printing community world-wide."


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