August 23, 2021

Here’s what’s new from Adobe Document Cloud and Microsoft Teams

With hybrid workplaces now the standard, digital document processes have become essential to business continuity. As a result, these once-manual processes and workflows are transforming into efficient, digital ones – supporting collaboration, enabling secure approvals and bolstering the customer experience. Not to mention it’s also a smarter choice for the environment. It’s why so many organisations are turning to Adobe Document Cloud (Adobe DC) – providing anywhere access to the leading PDF and electronic signature solutions to keep work flowing smoothly and securely.

A powerful duo: Adobe DC and Microsoft Teams

If you’re a Microsoft Teams user and you haven’t integrated Adobe DC, then you’re missing out. Get the ability to create, share, view, sign, split and merge PDFs all within your Microsoft Teams app. For the user, this means no more switching between apps, managing multiple file versions, or losing track of a workflow.

Let’s take a closer look at these enhanced collaboration and productivity capabilities:

  • Easy PDF viewing – One click to open high-fidelity PDFs directly within Microsoft Teams.
  • Smooth PDF reviews with a single source of truth – No more gathering and reconciling feedback via multiple attachments; channel members can comment and annotate on a single PDF in real-time. Reviewers can see and comment on each other’s feedback, plus they will be notified when others reply to their comments.
  • Microsoft Teams notifications – When actions are taken on your documents, you’ll be immediately notified within Microsoft Teams.
  • Enterprise level security – Transient documents are stored in Adobe DC servers with final document versions stored in either Microsoft SharePoint or OneDrive

Adobe Sign – for legally binding e-signature gathering

Adobe DC also includes Adobe Sign, the recommended solution for Microsoft’s entire portfolio of apps. This means that right within Microsoft Teams you can sign documents and send them for legally binding e-signature and approval – using familiar Adobe PDF tools and Microsoft Teams workflows. Here’s how it works:

This means everything from HR onboarding, sales proposals, to procurement and legal procedures, can instantly maximise productivity as you create, manage, share approvals and gather signatures directly from Microsoft Teams. Some of the standout features:

  • Instant access –  The best thing is you do not need to install an app to start working with Adobe Sign in Teams. It’s actually built into the newly launched Approvals app in Microsoft Teams.
  • Simple e-sign – Quickly and securely send, track and collect e-signatures on documents and contracts from Microsoft Teams.
  • Real-time visibility of contract status – stay on top of every process with real-time, instant notifications so you always know the moment a document has been viewed and signed. If someone is lagging, send reminders for overdue approvals.
  • Global security and compliance standards – Always have access to a detailed audit trail of any transaction in Microsoft Teams making the most of Microsoft Team’s trusted authentication.

With a raft of new features from Adobe and Microsoft, replacing tedious, inefficient processes with smart automation has never been easier.

  1. Microsoft Approvals – get faster results for document review and approvals

    Microsoft has created an app to help you manage approval processes in Microsoft Teams. Get a real-time view of the whole process and the current status of your documents. Even when working with partners or customers you can track everything within Microsoft Teams. If you need a signature, Adobe Sign is built into the app. Take a look at our infographic for the complete workflow.

  2. Adobe Live Sign – fast and easy document signing in Microsoft Teams Meetings

    This new remote signing feature allows Teams users to host and witness e-signatures in Teams video meetings. Here’s how it works – from a Teams video meeting, the document senders can explain each page of a document or agreement, field questions and ensure all parties understand before asking recipients to sign the document live (with a legally binding e-signature) during the Teams meeting.

    Using Live Sign keeps the efficiency, transparency and audit logs of the e-sign process but brings the added human element through the online meeting.

  3. Adobe Liquid Mode – improves accuracy and comprehension on smaller screens

    Staff often use a mobile device to access documents. However, reading and studying PDFs on a small screen can be frustrating with users having to pinch and zoom to hone-in on the relevant sections of a document. Liquid Mode was developed to improve the readability of PDFs on mobile devices. Accessing Liquid Mode reflows the text of the document for a more responsive and readable form by optimising the document for the current screen size – regardless of device orientation. Users can also manually adjust font size and line spacing to suit their reading style.

    In this way, Liquid Mode extends the power of your Microsoft Teams integration – allowing users on mobile devices, to easily access, read and sign contracts on the go.

  4. Microsoft Power Automate and Adobe Document Services – automate repetitive and manual tasks

    Available to Windows 10 users at no additional cost, Power Automate Desktop is a user-friendly application that connects different apps and services into coordinated multi-step workflows to automate tedious, manual tasks across employee onboarding, agreements and contracts, reports, invoices etc.

    The new Adobe PDF Tools connector for Microsoft Power Automate integrates with the Adobe PDF Tools API, so IT can add actions to any of your PDF workflows – such as creating searchable PDFs, compressing a PDF, converting formats, protecting, merging, splitting and more. All of this can be done from the Microsoft Teams platform. Automating these commonly performed tasks reduces errors, further streamlines tasks and avoids the need to jump from app to app to complete simple everyday tasks.

Where to next?

If you’re already collaborating in Microsoft Teams then it’s time to take your digital workflows to the next level with Adobe DC – allowing you to work smarter, not harder.

As a Platinum Partner and Adobe’s largest Australian partner for over 20 years, Data#3 has helped hundreds of customers reach their productivity and collaboration goals. As Microsoft’s largest Australian partner, it’s clear there is no one better equipped to help you integrate Adobe DC within your existing Microsoft environment.

Request an Adobe Sign Free Trial

Contact us today to learn more with an Adobe Document Cloud demo, or take advantage of our Adobe Sign free trial.