Adobe Systems on Monday introduced the latest version of its design software, Creative Suite 6, this time offering it through its Software-as-a-Service platform, called Creative Cloud.
Adobe's Creative Cloud lets users download and install Creative Suite 6 for a significantly lower price than the traditional license. Users can sign up for the Creative Cloud membership for $49.99 per month. In contrast, Creative Suite Master Collection costs $2,599.
With membership in Creative Cloud, users can download and install 14 Adobe Creative Suite 6 applications, including Adobe Photoshop CS6, Adobe InDesign CS6, Adobe Illustrator CS6, and Adobe Dreamweaver CS6.
Customers can also use Creative Cloud use, for a $29.99 monthly fee, CS3, CS4, CS5 and CS5.5.
In addition, Adobe's desktop application, Creative Cloud Connection, will support the synchronization, sharing and storing of files across mobile devices and desktops. Creative Cloud membership includes up to 20 GB of cloud storage, with additional storage purchase options coming soon, the company said.
Adobe's on-demand model can attract customers with lower prices and ease of use, said Al Hilwa, program director of applications development software for IDC.
"The idea is to blend a variety of cloud services with the traditional software to keep users coming back to the cloud and thus paying a subscription," Hilwa said. "For some, a perpetual license and paying upfront may still be the right answer, but others might find the cloud capabilities compelling. It is also something Adobe can keep improving on down the road by adding more and more services."
Adobe Creative Cloud was launched in October 2011, at the Max conference in Los Angeles.
