Adobe to expand its training partners network in the Middle East

The strategy will focus on partners and customers and operate on the basis of a value-added model. Announcing the new strategy at a press conference held today (Tuesday, September 14, 2004) in Dubai, Andrew Lindstrom, Regional Manager Middle East, Africa and Indian Ocean Islands, Adobe Systems, said that the company is committed to optimizing the return on investments (ROI) of its licensed customers in the Middle East.

'The media industry in the Middle East is growing at a rapid pace. Moreover, the established media houses, as well as the new corporations, are seeking to incorporate advanced technologies which can help them in delivering their content in sophisticated world-class formats,' said Lindstrom. 'While the market for Adobe products is undoubtedly huge, we are addressing the existing and potential users with a host of value-added features. The intention is to provide pre-sales information and post sales education and support to help end-users optimise the benefits of Adobe's versatile Creative Suite Middle East and Enterprise solutions.'

Adobe has recently launched two new products in the Middle East markets. The first is the Middle East version (CSME) of its award winning Creative Suite Software Platform. The much awaited version CSME supports the use of Arabic in creative design environments, revolutionizing the Arabic design publishing and advertising industry. Adobe has also extended its Intelligent Document Platform with Adobe LiveCycle, a new server software. This software aids the integration of manual processes into Enterprise applications thus improving internal efficiencies and improving customer communications.

Training Partners Network
Under the new marketing strategy Adobe will expand its existing network of Training Partners in the Middle East. The company is recruiting training partners specialising in the tertiary, vocational and corporate segments of its market. The objective is to ensure that licensed users of Adobe products derive optimal benefits from their software, through programmes where designers can learn more about technology and its potential in furthering creativity.

Programme of in-house seminars and workshops
Meanwhile, with the help of Grapheast, Adobe's regional distributor, the company is putting in place a quarterly programme of workshops and seminars for licensed users of Adobe products. The programme will kick-off with a series of on-stand demonstrations at GITEX 2004, to be held from October 3 to 7, at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre.

Adobe Solutions Network
Adobe is also putting in place a chain of qualified print and repro service providers on the Adobe Solutions Network (www.partners.adbe.com ). This network would help partners keep up-to-date with the latest revisions of software, sharpening their edge over competition. The company is also in the process of recruiting more resellers in the Middle East region to market its technologies.