As of June 2022, Adobe Acrobat 2017 will no longer be supported by Adobe. This means that the software will no longer receive updates or security patches, so it’s important to start planning now for how you will continue to use Adobe Acrobat in your business.
In this blog, we’ll discuss the details of the change, what you can do, and some of the negative and positive results of this change.
Details of the Change
Adobe typically provides only five years of product support for their products. In light of this policy, Adobe Acrobat 2017 Classic and Acrobat Reader 2017 Classic support will come to an end in 2022.
Adobe has already announced that they will no longer be developing these products and that they will only be providing security updates and bug fixes until the end of support. Because the software will no longer receive security updates, the software will be left to vulnerable attacks.
What You Can Do
If you’re currently using Adobe Acrobat 2017 or Reader 2017, it’s important to start planning now for how you will continue to use the software. Here are three options that may you want to consider when deciding what’s best for your business in 2022:
Upgrade to New Version of Adobe Acrobat
One option is to upgrade to the latest version of Adobe Acrobat, which will be supported until 2025. While this option may be the most expensive in the short-term, it will ensure that your software is receiving security updates and support. However, this may not be feasible for everyone, especially if you have an older version of Adobe Acrobat.
Look For Alternative PDF Software
Another option is to look for alternative PDF software that can be used in your business. There are many different types of PDF software on the market, so you should be able to find one that meets your needs. Many of these PDF softwares are free or come at a very low price.
However, keep in mind that you may need to do some research to find the right one for your business. Some alternate versions will lack certain features that make Adobe Acrobat stand out, for example, the ability to sign documents digitally.
Switch to Acrobat DC
The final option is to switch to Acrobat DC, which will be supported until 2027. This is a subscription-based software and may be the best option for businesses that want to continue using Adobe Acrobat after 2022.
Results of Change
Like with any change, there are both positives and negatives to consider when it comes to Adobe Acrobat 2017 no longer being supported in 2022.
Negatives
On the negative side, businesses that are still using Adobe Acrobat 2017 and Reader 2017 after March 2022 will be left open to security attacks that could harm their business. In addition, these businesses will have to find an alternative PDF software or upgrade to a newer version of Adobe Acrobat, which can be costly.
Positives
On the positive side, businesses that switch to Acrobat DC will have access to support until 2027. In addition, Adobe has stated that they will continue to provide security updates and bug fixes for the software until the end of support. This means that businesses will not be left completely vulnerable to security attacks.
Tolar Systems Can Help
Overall, it’s important to start planning now for how you will continue to use Adobe Acrobat in your business after June 2022. There are many different options available, so you should be able to find one that meets your needs.
If you have any questions, Tolar Systems can help you. We’re here to help you and your business find alternatives and make the best decision!
