^ Up : Adobe eCopy   Business Goal Due to the increasing popularity of network-based digital copiers/scanners, Adobe wanted to make sure that these new machines used their PDF format. To encourage the marketplace to adopt their technology, they needed an OEM client that would handle all scanning images for each individual user. Users were to scan several documents and scanned objects would appear immediately on their desktops in a PDF-management client application as thumbnail files. The challenge was to take a product based on complex technology and make it usable by any level of computer user. Design Solution The following activities helped inform the final application design:

• Competitive analyses of best-of-breed products like Visioneer PaperPort and Xerox Pagis Pro
• User interviews to capture data and user requirements
• Extensive task analysis of current methods of completing routine office tasks such as faxing, copying, and emailing
• Quick user testing on specific interaction design problems
• Parallel design to produce multiple versions simultaneously for the client to make decisions on
• Usability Testing yielded feedback that was fed back into the design cycle for the next version as well as enabling UI fixes during the current implementation process
• Created the eCopy UI Specifications to document design decisions

Benefits Subsequent usability testing on the final product indicated few substantial usability issues. Adobe was able to complete the product on time and on budget, thanks to a solid and correct user experience design. Adobe clearly felt that they could release an OEM product that was world-class and represented their brand well. Once built, the design was successful as a stand-alone product called Adobe Circulate. Quote from Julie Reichle, Product Marketing Manager, Adobe Systems, Inc.:

"Thank you for continuing to provide quality user interface design work to Adobe Systems. You continue to impress us with the high caliber work you produce and by your responsiveness to our needs. I look forward to an ongoing working relationship.."