Adobe Named Top-Tier Software Vendor by APPS RUN THE WORLD in the APPS and CLOUD TOP 500 Market Report

5 Adobe

Adobe Strengths, Domain Expertise, and Key Differentiators

Adobe Digital Media segment provides tools and solutions that enable individuals, small and medium businesses, and enterprises to create, publish, promote, and monetize their digital content. Adobe's flagship product is Creative Cloud, a subscription service that allows customers to download and install the latest versions of its creative products. Other offerings include Document Cloud and Experience Cloud for creative professionals, knowledge workers, and marketers. Its three lines of Cloud business are intertwined, but they are also distinct in their unique positioning.

Creative Cloud has been evolving since the early days of Photoshop, to become one of the most successful platforms for content creation. Creative Cloud is geared toward individual creatives, teams, and enterprises. Document Cloud, which capitalizes on the industry-standard Acrobat desktop software for PDF creation and the one-billion-installed base of Acrobat Reader, sells individual subscriptions as well as long-term licensing to an array of programs for managing documents from digital signatures to enterprise business workflows. Then there is the Adobe Experience Cloud, which accounts for the bulk of its Cloud-based enterprise applications revenues by selling marketing automation and analytics tools for marketers. Adobe additionally added Marketo and Magento to shore up its Experience Cloud.

Adobe Recent Developments

In September 2023 Adobe introduced its latest AI-powered enhancements across the Creative Cloud ecosystem. With the commercial availability of generative AI capabilities integrated into applications like Photoshop and Illustrator, Adobe is putting more creative power in the hands of users to explore, experiment, and create in entirely new ways. The release of generative AI capabilities marks a significant milestone for Adobe Creative Cloud users.

With features like Generative Fill, Generative Expand, and Generative Recolor now available in Photoshop and Illustrator, creators have access to a wealth of AI-driven tools to enhance their designs and streamline their workflows. These capabilities, powered by Adobe's Firefly technology, enable users to generate dynamic and visually stunning content with ease.

Adobe Learning Manager continues to evolve and improve with each update, and the latest version, released in April 2023, includes a range of exciting new features and enhancements. One key area of focus in this update is the instructor-led training (ILT) experience.

In March 2023, Adobe launched its latest innovation, Side by Side. This cutting-edge tool is meticulously designed to empower marketers, product teams, and data experts to seamlessly collaborate while working on the same data sets, fostering synergy and maximizing productivity.

The unveiling of Side by Side comes hot on the heels of Adobe's recent announcement of Product Analytics, a groundbreaking application showcased at the prestigious Adobe Summit 2023 conference held in Las Vegas. Tailored for product managers and data scientists, Product Analytics empowers users with actionable insights to enhance digital experiences and fuel product growth.

Within Adobe Product Analytics, the convergence of product expertise and data intelligence unlocks a treasure trove of insights, enabling stakeholders to unearth hidden patterns in customer engagement and identify emerging market trends. The focus on product-led growth represents a significant paradigm shift, offering companies a strategic avenue to enhance customer engagement and drive sustainable business growth.

With its seamless integration into the Adobe Experience Platform ecosystem, Side by Side holds the promise of revolutionizing marketing collaboration and empowering organizations to unlock the full potential of their data-driven insights.

The platform now offers a more streamlined and intuitive interface for both instructors and learners, making it easier to manage and track ILT sessions. Another notable addition to Adobe Learning Manager is the ability to use any smartphone camera to scan learning manager QR codes. This feature provides a quick and convenient way for learners to access learning materials and resources, without the need for additional hardware or software. Reporting enhancements have also been made to provide administrators with more detailed and actionable insights into learner progress and performance. This includes better tracking of classroom and virtual ILT progress, enabling administrators to identify areas where learners may be struggling and provide targeted support and resources.

At the end of 2022, Adobe rebranded Adobe Captivate Prime to Adobe Learning Manager. The platform's various UI elements were updated to reflect the change. Adobe Learning Manager now integrates with Adobe Experience Manager sites, allowing users to create their websites and responsive mobile interfaces with minimal coding effort. This integration offers users the ability to create highly customized learning experiences. Today, hundreds of enterprises worldwide use Adobe Captivate Prime to deliver customer education, employee skilling, and sales and partner training. Notable brands that utilize the platform include Domino’s, Lenovo, GE, Publicis, Ogilvy, and many others. These brands trust Adobe Captivate Prime to train millions of users worldwide, underscoring the platform's robust capabilities and versatility.

In January 2022, Adobe updated Adobe Captivate Prime to include several new features. These features include Classroom Locations, which enables administrators to create a library of classroom locations, Gamification, which offers new gamification tasks to encourage users to access the learning platform, and a Microsoft Teams Connector, a persistent chat-based collaboration platform that supports document sharing, online meetings, and other features for business communications. Additionally, the update includes API changes and other enhancements.

Adobe Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) Activities

In a significant move that will have far-reaching implications for the design industry, Adobe acquired Figma in September 2022, a regarded web-first collaborative design platform. This strategic acquisition signals a new era of collaborative creativity, with Adobe and Figma poised to deliver a range of innovative solutions that will transform the way designers and developers work together.

The combination of Adobe's expertise in creative software and Figma's web-first approach promises to accelerate creativity on the web, drive advancements in product design, and inspire global communities of creators, designers, and developers. The synergies between these two companies are expected to result in a range of new tools and services that will make it easier for designers to collaborate, share ideas, and produce high-quality work.

In October 2021, Adobe acquired Frame.io, a cloud-based video collaboration platform. With over a million users across media and entertainment companies, agencies, and global brands, Frame.io streamlines the video production process by enabling video editors and key project stakeholders to seamlessly collaborate using cloud-first workflows. The combination of Adobe’s creative software, including Premiere Pro and After Effects video editing products, and Frame.io’s review and approval functionality, will deliver a collaboration platform that powers the video editing process.

Adobe Customers in ARTW Customer Database

Leveraging a rigorous data-centric research methodology, APPS RUN THE WORLD asks the simple question: Who’s buying Adobe applications and why? And we provide the answers – supported by decades of research – to our clients around the world. Our Customer database has over 100 data fields that detail company usage of Adobe and other enterprise apps by function, customer size, industry, location, implementation status, partner involvement, Line of Business Key Stakeholders and IT decision makers contact details. List of Verified Adobe Creative Cloud, Experience Cloud, Marketing Cloud, Adobe Captivate Prime customers.

Adobe Key Enterprise and Cloud Applications

Adobe Creative Cloud, Experience Cloud, Marketing Cloud, Adobe Captivate Prime

Adobe Revenues, $M:

Type/Year20222023YoY Growth, %
Total Revenues, $M Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe
Enterprise Applications Revenues, $M Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe
Cloud Applications Revenues, $M Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe

* Enterprise Applications Revenues = License + Support & Maintenance + SaaS
** All revenue figures are estimates based on public records, Cloud and Non-Cloud business models in Apps Run The World's vendor database, and annual survey results including vendor feedback.

Adobe Revenue Breakdown By Type, $M:

TypeLicenseServicesHardwareS&MSaaSPaaSIaaSOtherTotal
% of Total Revenues Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe 100%
Revenues, $M Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe

Adobe Revenues By Region, $M

Region% of Total Revenues2023 Total Revenues, $M2023 Enterprise Applications Revenues, $M2023 Cloud Applications Revenues, $M
Americas Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe
EMEA Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe
APAC Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe
Total Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe

Adobe Direct vs Indirect sales

RegionDirect SalesIndirect SalesTotal
Type % Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe
Revenues, $M Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe

Adobe Customers - Breakdown by Geo, Size, Vertical and Product

List of Verified Adobe Customers


No. of Adobe Customers: 22 million

No. of Adobe Enterprise Applications Customers: x

No. of Adobe Cloud Customers: x

No. of Adobe Cloud Subscribers: 22 million


When Adobe Systems started the transition from a product-sales model to a cloud-based subscription model less than six years ago, the move looked risky. Skeptics figured it would eat into the rich profit margins of the company's pricey design, photography, and video software. At the time, prices on its popular Creative Suite package, which bundled together Photoshop, Illustrator, and other programs, started at $1,300 and went as high as $2,600, depending on the version.

Meanwhile, some customers openly rebelled against the idea of renting cloud-based versions in perpetuity. About 50,000 signed a Change.org petition demanding the company abandon the scheme. Revenue shrank 8 percent in 2013 and was pretty much flat the next year. There aren't many doubters today. Adobe's revenue was just shy of $5.9 billion for the fiscal year ended in November 2014, up from $4 billion in 2013; about 80 percent of that came from subscriptions and other recurring sources.

Among Adobe customers are Clemson University Athletics, Ushahidi, Dixons Carphone, Wild Advertising, Pace University, RMIT University, Accenture, Telegraph Media Group, Costa Crociere S.p.A., Dell, TF1 Group, Western Sydney University, POPSUGAR, Flight Centre Travel Group, JOHAN Sports, London Heathrow Airport, Sonoma County, Silversea Cruises, Acxiom, University of Michigan, Domino's, Merck KGaA, Harvard Business Review, Amplifon, Novozymes, Aon Hewitt Learning Center, Eaton Corporation, Royal London, East Tennessee State University, Meyle+Müller, Dun & Bradstreet, Grandview Preparatory School, Jiva Ayurveda, Allianz Australia, LOTTE Rental and many others.

Adobe Market Opportunities, M&A and Geo Expansions

Adobe released its latest offering, Firefly, In March 2023, which represents a human-driven creative approach to generative artificial intelligence (AI). Firefly will be fully integrated into the suite of Adobe's products and services, including Creative Cloud, Document Cloud, Experience Cloud, and Adobe Express workflows.

With Firefly, users can expect a more intuitive and streamlined approach to creative design, leveraging the power of generative AI while maintaining a human touch. The platform's advanced algorithms will work in conjunction with human creativity to produce stunning visuals, layouts, and designs. By combining the best of both worlds, Firefly represents a significant step forward for creative professionals looking to leverage the full potential of AI without sacrificing the unique perspectives and insights that come from human input. Through its integration into Adobe's suite of products and services, Firefly will be accessible to a wide range of users, from graphic designers and creative professionals to business owners and marketing teams.

In December 2022, Adobe launched Creative Cloud Express, a unified task-based, web and mobile product that makes it easy to create and share beautiful rich multimedia content – from social media posts and stories to invitations to marketing materials like logos, flyers, and banners. In June 2022 Adobe took a significant step forward by integrating data from its commerce suite into its Real-Time Customer Data Platform (CDP). This strategic move aims to empower enterprises in their quest for hyperpersonalization and customer-centricity.

The announcement of Segment Match within Real-Time CDP further underscores Adobe's commitment to facilitating seamless data exchange and collaboration across the Adobe Experience Platform ecosystem.

This feature enables multiple users to share market segment data, facilitating the consolidation of customer personas and profiles. By amalgamating data silos and bridging the gap between disparate datasets, Segment Match empowers companies to gain a holistic view of their customers, enabling more effective marketing strategies and personalized experiences.

Adobe Risks and Challenges

As Adobe continues to integrate AI technologies, including generative AI, into its offerings, the company faces a myriad of social, ethical, and operational risks. One of the primary risks associated with AI misuse is reputational damage. If Adobe's AI development, deployment, or governance processes are perceived as ineffective or inadequate, it may erode public trust and tarnish the company's reputation. Instances of AI bias, discrimination, or unintended consequences could undermine Adobe's credibility as a responsible technology provider, leading to a loss of customer confidence and loyalty.

Misuse of AI can also expose Adobe to legal and liability risks. If AI algorithms produce biased or discriminatory outcomes, it may result in lawsuits, regulatory fines, or legal sanctions. Additionally, if AI-powered offerings malfunction or cause harm to individuals or society, Adobe may be held accountable for damages, leading to costly litigation and financial penalties.

During the pandemic, Adobe acquired Workfront for project portfolio management and Frame.io for video collaboration as it continues to transform itself into a multi-product company with a long tail. The question is whether its extensive product portfolio catalyzes to sustain its growth or something that keeps morphing without giving too much thought to integration. Suffice it to say that the pandemic has served Adobe well as it continues to expand in such markets as web marketing, e-commerce, and increasing customer experience. The question is whether it is spreading itself too thin by trying to be all things to all people.

Adobe Ecosystem, Partners, Resellers and SI

Adobe partners easily help customers to get connected with the latest solutions from the Adobe portfolio of products. They have various technology partners, Adobe Experience Cloud Solution Partners, Authorized Platinum, Gold and Certified Resellers, Training Partners, and others. Among the most prestigious ones are, 2DataFish, 3|SHARE, Acceleration, Accenture, Interactive, Accordant Pty Ltd, Acxiom Limited, Axis41, A Merkle Company, Blue 449, Cardinal Path, Cognifide, Cognizant Technology Solutions, Critical Mass, Deloitte Digital, DigitasLBi, DIVISADERO, a Merkle Company, Infosys Technologies Ltd, Epsilon, HUGE LLC, ecx.io an IBM Company and many others.

In November 2021, Adobe partnered with Spanish sporting giant Real Madrid C.F., to accelerate the club’s growth in the digital experience economy and turn one of the world’s most prestigious football clubs into an unrivaled global entertainment and lifestyle brand. Using Adobe Experience Cloud, Real Madrid will connect fans from around the world through an immersive sports entertainment experience, both on and offline.

Furthermore, in November of the same year, Adobe and Major League Baseball (MLB) announced a major expansion of their partnership to reimagine fan engagement and continue to bring America’s favorite pastime to the next generation of fans – powered across Adobe Experience Cloud, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Adobe Sign. The partnership will empower MLB to bring new personalized, seamless experiences to its millions of fans.

In July 2020, Adobe, IBM, and Red Hat enrolled in a strategic partnership to help accelerate digital transformation and strengthen real-time data security for enterprises, with a focus on regulated industries. The partnership intends to enable companies to deliver more personalized experiences across the customer journey, driving improved engagement, profitability, and loyalty.

Adobe Cloud Infrastructure Insights

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  • Adobe Public Cloud and Infrastructure (IaaS)
  • Adobe Platform (PaaS)
  • Adobe Application Delivery
  • Adobe Private Cloud and Data Centers

Research Methodology

Data used in research reports are derived from publicly available documents, continuous surveys of applications vendors, customers, resellers, Independent Software Vendors, systems integrators and other verifiable sources.


Vendor shares and market forecast results are based on a combination of existing databases as well as demand side and supply side research conducted throughout the year with validation from vendors, customers, channel partners and documentations such as earnings releases and 10Q and 10K filings, vertical industry studies, regional and country-level statistics from public and private institutions(i.e. colleges, universities, government agencies and trade associations).


For additional information on our methodologies, here's the link:

https://www.appsruntheworld.com/About Us
https://www.appsruntheworld.com/taxonomy
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Buyer Intent: Companies Reading this Research Report
ARTW Buyer Intent uncovers actionable customer signals, identifying software buyers actively reading this research report. Gain ongoing access to real-time prospects and uncover hidden opportunities. Companies Actively accessing this research report include:
  1. MAPEI S.p.A., a Italy based Oil, Gas and Chemicals organization with 10500 Employees
  2. Productboard, a United States based Professional Services company with 500 Employees
  3. Momentum Stack, a United States based Professional Services organization with 10 Employees
LogoCompanyIndustryEmployeesRevenueCountryEvaluated
MAPEI S.p.A.Oil, Gas and Chemicals10500$3.1BItaly2025-01-23
SubscribeSubscribeProfessional Services500$261MUnited States2024-12-19
SubscribeSubscribeProfessional Services10$1MUnited States2024-12-19
SubscribeSubscribeProfessional Services300$50MIndia2024-12-19
SubscribeSubscribeLife Sciences103605$68.3BSwitzerland2024-11-28
SubscribeSubscribeBanking and Financial Services344$364MUnited Kingdom2024-11-19
SubscribeSubscribeEducation4804$1.2BGermany2024-10-17
SubscribeSubscribeProfessional Services40$4MAustria2024-10-08
SubscribeSubscribeLeisure and Hospitality3000$750MIndia2024-10-03
SubscribeSubscribeProfessional Services90500$11.0BCanada2024-09-27
SubscribeSubscribeEducation536$55MIndia2024-08-29
SubscribeSubscribeProfessional Services50$5MUnited States2024-08-21
SubscribeSubscribeProfessional Services33$3MUnited States2024-08-01
SubscribeSubscribeProfessional Services75$7MCanada2024-07-29
SubscribeSubscribeProfessional Services20$4MUnited States2024-07-26
SubscribeSubscribeProfessional Services110$11MIsrael2024-07-16
SubscribeSubscribeEducation12000$2.5BUnited States2024-06-26
SubscribeSubscribeBanking and Financial Services4600$2.0BFrance2024-06-23
SubscribeSubscribeEducation4055$360MUnited States2024-06-18
SubscribeSubscribeProfessional Services200$12MUnited States2024-06-12