Integration based on the Adobe Version Cue CS3 SDK will offer Cumulus digital asset management system access via Adobe Bridge for work-in-progress workflows and asset archiving.

BERLIN -- Canto announced today plans to use the Adobe Version Cue CS3 software developer kit, featured by Adobe at the Henry Stewart DAM Symposium, to build an integration between the Cumulus and Adobe CS3 product lines.

Adobe Creative Suite 3 users will benefit from direct access to their Cumulus catalogs and asset collections right from within Adobe Creative Suite 3 applications -- such as Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and Dreamweaver -- without launching any additional software.

"A seamless integration like this is exactly what's needed to encourage designers to take better advantage of the many benefits digital asset management offers," explains Canto CEO Ulrich Knocke. "Now, designers will be able to work from within the creative applications they prefer, while Cumulus ensures asset organization and security needs are met."

Managers, customers and others not part of the core Creative Suite 3 work group can access and share the very same assets, using the Cumulus native client (Mac OS X and Windows) or the Canto Web clients. Advanced options available through these clients include finding assets based on their relationships to other assets, determining access permissions for users, and configuring catalogs to suit the organization's workflow needs.

User access is always controlled by Cumulus -- even for those connecting via Adobe Bridge CS3. Permissions can be user- or group-based, and can be determined on a per-catalog or per-asset basis, depending on the Cumulus edition used.

The Adobe Bridge CS3 application will provide a direct link to Cumulus systems that enables users to find, check-out, edit, check-in and even catalog new assets. When a file is complete or needs review, the designer selects an option inside Adobe Bridge CS3 that alerts Cumulus to take further action -- archive the file, notify a manager that review is needed, or even create a JPG, PDF (or other format) variant of the asset and make it accessible for Web-based reviews or distribution.

Organizations using Cumulus now will gain immediate integrated access to existing catalogs and collections without any programming or professional integration services. Work groups new to Cumulus can migrate with no production downtime.

"We're very excited to see that Canto has begun development with the Version Cue CS3 SDK to integrate Cumulus and Creative Suite 3," said Mike Wallen, senior product manager for Adobe's Creative Solutions Business Unit. "Our customers will be able to access the robust Cumulus digital asset management capabilities without having to leave their favorite Adobe design tools."

Canto chief technologist Thomas Schleu credits Canto-certified development partner Mark 5 for the quick prototype: "Adobe's outstanding new SDK is in the hands of some very capable developers who know both products extremely well. This will enable Canto to deliver a water-tight integration that will change the way organizations manage assets without changing the way designers create them."

The first complete version of the integration is scheduled for Q4 this year. Support for all Cumulus 7.5 (and later) and BrandAssistant Servers is planned.