Adobe Systems has today announced the availability of Adobe Flash Platform Services for Distribution, a new service that is claimed to enable advertisers and content publishers to promote, measure and monetise applications across social networks, desktops and mobile devices.
Adobe Flash Platform Services are said to be online, hosted services that allow developers to add capabilities to Web applications with a 'predictable, cost efficient deployment model'. Developers, advertisers and publishers are now using Adobe Flash Platform Services to make Web applications sharable, social, and collaborative.
With the growth of social media, advertisers and publishers are looking to more predictable and effective methods to reach audiences via social media, says Adobe. There are many benefits to using sharable, social applications to connect with customers; however, it can be difficult to get users to install the applications, it claims. Additionally, advertisers, publishers and game developers use distribution methods that don't support all popular destinations and can be difficult to maintain. Many times, simply posting applications in an app store is the mobile distribution strategy. Rarely is an overall distribution strategy unified across the Web and mobile, making comprehensive analytics difficult to obtain.
Adobe is partnering with Gigya, a social media authentication and distribution platform, to provide advertisers, publishers and game makers with a comprehensive distribution solution. The solution includes a unified management tool to effectively promote, measure and monetise Web applications and games.
- Viral distribution by making applications sharable – Flash and other Web applications can be distributed to most Web, desktop and mobile platforms. The sharing feature is easily implemented, enabling users to share applications with a single click on social networking sites, on the desktop and mobile platforms.
- Mobile applications distribution – Web applications built with Flash Platform tools as well as applications created with other technologies can be distributed to multiple mobile platforms. Users wishing to install a sharable application on a mobile device will receive a SMS message on that device with a link to the application. Users then click the link and the Distribution service detects the device and delivers the version of the application that is developed and optimised for that specific device.
- Assuring installs through paid promotion – Application distribution can be accelerated through paid promotion. Tens of thousands of Web application installs are possible through a unique paid cross promotion model. Adobe is partnering with Gigya to provide the free and paid methods of Web application distribution.
- Measuring success and optimising applications through tracking – Comprehensive traditional and social media analytics are available through the Distribution Manager. This application, built using Adobe AIR software, is to promote applications, and measure distribution and customer usage.
- Monetisation through cross-promotion – Publishers and developers can generate revenue through cross-promotion of other Web applications. When users click to download an application, this feature enables publishers and developers to offer another Web application to the user.
"Our customers rely on the Adobe Flash Platform to make rich and compelling applications that work across operating systems and screens," said David Wadhwani, general manager and vice president at Adobe. "The new services from Adobe allow Flash Platform developers, advertisers, game makers and other content publishers to connect with an even larger audience more effectively, and grow revenue opportunities."