This is old news but more relevant now than it was announced years ago. US Green Building Council (USGBC) and Adobe had teamed to streamline the LEED rating system documentation and certification process. LEED is a leading certification process which builders need in order to claim green building status.

Adobe, with it’s suite of tools, had streamlined the process of capturing and filing of documents. Heavy documentation needs have been the bane of LEED application process.

Adobe, as claimed, took care of application process with following products:

• Adobe LiveCycle software provides a cross-platform solution that allows applicants to access and complete forms using the ubiquitous, free Adobe Reader.
• LEED online serves as an important tool to improve customer service and responsiveness.
• Building project teams can download more than 400 two-page intelligent Adobe PDF forms associated with specific building rating systems for which projects receive LEED certification credits, from USGBC’s web site.
• Project managers pursuing certification complete the Adobe PDF forms offline and combine them in PDF with LEED certification documentation including CAD drawings, contracts, spreadsheets, diagrams, and specifications, pulled from the LEED web site. Then managers can e-mail the forms to co-workers and collaborate on additional input.

That was then. When green and clean technology were front page concern. Remember $140/barrel oil price. Those days are gone. Now oil is hovering around $40/barrel and deflation is painfully eating into corporate bottom line. US government is planning a big stimulus package, aimed to stem the deflationary spiral. High tech vendors need to get creative and this Adobe example is a great way to learn new tricks.

Vendors can learn from Adobe’s approach. Companies need to re-align product portfolio to match budget.

If you are a vendor and changing product portfolio mix in this economy, please let us know.