Adobe Digital Publishing Suite - Frequently Asked Questions

1. Will there be a way for a company to distribute folio files without a custom branded app, through the Adobe Content Viewer or similar?
2. When will the Adobe Content Viewer for desktop be ready for more than just previewing?
3. Is Adobe EPUB planned to converge with the capabilities of Adobe Digital Publishing Suite at some future date?
4. We are looking for a "Service" that can take the folio files we produce and host them on our behalf. Kind of like an Amazon Kindle but DPS/iPad based. Is this possible?
5. What are the statistics on incremental costs that publishers have faced with producing the tablet editions (i.e. additional production hours, additional staff)?
6. Any metrics available regarding advertising?
7. Any research metrics regarding user preferences (i.e. % of users that prefer reading magazines on iPad vs. Print, % of users that are using iPad vs. Andriod)
8. What is the cost of using Adobe's Content Delivery Network (CDN)?
9. Can publishers use their own CDN, rather than Adobe's?
10. We need to sign up with Adobe for the Digital Publishing Suite product. Can we do that with our regular Adobe license supplier?
11. In addition to tablets, can we publish content through the Adobe Digital Publishing Suite to smart phones and desktops?
12. Do we need to upgrade to Adobe InDesign CS5.5 to use the Adobe Digital Publishing Suite tools or can we stay on Adobe InDesign CS5?
13. How quickly can we get signed up with Adobe and get our publications into the release process?
14. How does Adobe interact with Apple subscription services?
15. If we get a multi-folio viewer approved, does that streamline the process of getting subsequent issues approved for delivery in that viewer?
16. Once publications are submitted to Adobe, how long does it typically take for Adobe's part of the publishing process?
17. If a customer purchases at one distribution level, can they upgrade anytime after within that year term?
18. Will readers be able to preview the magazines before purchase?
19. Who will handle the upkeep of the application when Apple, or any other OS changes or receives an update?
20. Is there a percentage Apple takes for content sold? How about the Android Market?
21. Will there be an additional charge to have the app on multiple platforms?
22. How many other devices is the Adobe Digital Publishing Suite slated to support?
23. Our company is new to tablet publishing; does Adobe provide training services for new users?
24. Of all the other tablet publishing solutions that are available, why choose Adobe Digital Publishing Suite?
25. I'm ready to get started. What's my first step?

1. Will there be a way for a company to distribute folio files without a custom branded app, through the Adobe Content Viewer or similar?
   At the moment, no, but it's something Adobe is thinking about. Expect more from Adobe on this front in the fall. Until then, a custom app is needed.
2. When will the Adobe Content Viewer for desktop be ready for more than just previewing?
   This will be scheduled for one of the later builds so check back later this year.
3. Is Adobe EPUB planned to converge with the capabilities of Adobe Digital Publishing Suite at some future date?
   Adobe is aware of the need but does not have a roadmap yet. Check back on this late this year. DPCI can also offer services to help with the creation of EPUB 3.0 files.
4. We are looking for a "Service" that can take the folio files we produce and host them on our behalf. Kind of like an Amazon Kindle but DPS/iPad based. Is this possible?
   Adobe has a list of Digital Solution Agencies that can help publishers design and deliver custom magazine applications for tablet devices using the Digital Publishing Suite.
5. What are the statistics on incremental costs that publishers have faced with producing the tablet editions (i.e. additional production hours, additional staff)?
   Depends vastly on amounts on interactivity included in the magazines and whether tablet editions are produced in both horizontal and vertical orientations.  But, the added production costs are relatively low since the tools are incorporated into Adobe InDesign.
6. Any metrics available regarding advertising?
   Adobe Digital Publishing Suite customers will have the ability to track ads with the base analytics or Site Catalyst integration of the accounts.  If you are looking for metrics of current customers' success with ads, that information cannot be released publicly.
7. Any research metrics regarding user preferences (i.e. % of users that prefer reading magazines on iPad vs. Print, % of users that are using iPad vs. Android) ?
   No.  A lot of useful consumer data is captured via the packaged analytics, but Adobe does not release information publicly or in aggregate.
8. What is the cost of using Adobe's Content Delivery Network (CDN)?
   Adobe does not disclose CDN fees for delivery of the file, but the Digital Publishing Suite service fees are inclusive of CDN costs.
9. Can publishers use their own CDN, rather than Adobe's?
   No, only Adobe's CDN can be used.
10. We need to sign up with Adobe for the Digital Publishing Suite product. Can we do that with our regular Adobe license supplier?
    Sign up for the Adobe Digital Publishing Suite is handled by channel reseller partners, such as DPCI. In addition to DPS signup, we provide implementation, consulting, training, and integration services related to the Adobe Digital Publishing Suite.
11. In addition to tablets, can we publish content through the Adobe Digital Publishing Suite to smart phones and desktops?
    A desktop version of the Adobe Digital Publishing Suite viewer is available for previewing content (refer to question #2 above) but smaller form factors like smart phones are not supported currently. It is something Adobe is thinking about. Check back on this later this year.
12. Do we need to upgrade to Adobe InDesign CS5.5 to use the Adobe Digital Publishing Suite tools or can we stay on Adobe InDesign CS5?
    Both Adobe InDesign CS5 and CS5.5 are supported. The difference is that the Folio Producer and Overlay Creator tools are included with the InDesign CS5.5 install, so you do not have to download them separately. You can still use CS5 with these tools, but you need to download the Digital Publishing Suite toolset from Adobe.
13. How quickly can we get signed up with Adobe and get our publications into the release process?
    The order, signup and on-boarding process typically takes 10-15 days for completion however Adobe reserves the rights to deliver within 30 days of receipt of full payment.
14. How does Adobe interact with Apple subscription services?
    Adobe will support Apple subscriptions. Code exists in the latest versions of the Adobe Digital Publishing Suite Viewer Builder that will let you build an app and sell a subscription through the App store.
15. If we get a multi-folio viewer approved, does that streamline the process of getting subsequent issues approved for delivery in that viewer?
    Yes, you want to indicate to Apple when the app is created for approval that you are going to be doing multiple issues (multi-issue application). If you request, in advance, approval on the apps you intend to publish, this will streamline the approval process (you need representative content in the app)
16. Once publications are submitted to Adobe, how long does it typically take for Adobe's part of the publishing process?
    For those customers that understand how to make .folio files and use the Adobe Digital Publishing Suite Viewer Builder, Adobe's part of the workflow takes a matter of hours.
17. If a customer purchases at one distribution level, can they upgrade anytime after within that year term?
    Yes. Customers are able to add an additional Distribution Service at any point during the contract term.  Any remaining/ unused downloads at the end of the term will expire with the contract.
18. Will readers be able to preview the magazines before purchase?
    It's on the roadmap, but no release date has been set.
19. Who will handle the upkeep of the application when Apple, or any other OS changes or receives an update?
    Adobe will provide updates to the Viewer Builder that offer compatibility. Publishers use the new updates to build new viewers and upload them as app updates.
20. Is there a percentage Apple takes for content sold? How about the Android Market?
    30% of the sale price is collected from apps sold on both markets.  If the app is being offered for free then the profit margin does not apply.
21. Will there be an additional charge to have the app on multiple platforms?
    There is currently no upcharge to publish apps on multiple platforms.  The only charge to consider is the Distribution Service fee for user downloads on any given device.
22. How many other devices is the Adobe Digital Publishing Suite slated to support?
    Only three have been announced: iPad, Android, Playbook.
23. Our company is new to tablet publishing; does Adobe provide training services for new users?
    No, Adobe does not provide training services for the Digital Publishing Suite.  Fortunately, DPCI provides a Training Start-Up Kit with your Digital Publishing Suite purchase.  Please Contact Us for more details.
24. Of all the other tablet publishing solutions that are available, why choose Adobe Digital Publishing Suite?
    Most tablet publishing solutions available offer a fancy way of viewing flattened PDF's on tablet devices.  Adobe Digital Publishing Suite is an end-to-end solution to create, distribute, monetize and analyze engaging digital publications. 
25. I'm ready to get started. What's my first step?
    Contact DPCI at sales@databasepublish.com or (800) 818-2905 and we'll help you get started.