Since times immemorial, Adobe Systems Inc., Microsoft Corp. and Google Inc. have been involved in severe neck and neck competition. Each of them tries to surpass others in its own unique way. This time it was Adobe’s turn to take the lead. In a bid to further fortify its leadership in RIA (Rich Internet Application) development, the company has acquired Virtual Ubiquity and its revolutionary online word processor, Buzzword. The terms of the agreement and the price of the acquisition have not been disclosed.

Why is Adobe Acquiring Buzzword?
“Word processors fall under that category of software that has changed only slightly in the past 20 years. We were looking for a technology that could provide high-quality document authoring tools as well as allow people to collaborate on shared document,” informs Erik Larson, Director of Marketing and Product Management at Adobe. “Buzzword on the one hand provides rich authoring tools and an incredible collaboration environment, and on the other hand epitomizes Adobe’s vision of RIA development,” continues Larson.

What will Adobe do with Buzzword?
Adobe plans to integrate Buzzword with its existing online document collaboration services in stages. The first step would be to integrate Buzzword with Create PDF Online, a utility that allows users to create Abode PDF documents and files online.

The next step would be to amalgamate the online word processor with Adobe Document Center , which helps users to retain control over their documents as well as track their usage; and the last step would be to assimilate Buzzword with Adobe Acrobat Connect, a web conferencing software that makes it easy for users to share their documents.

What Actually is Buzzword?
Buzzword is a highly collaborative, web-based word processor that has been built with Adobe Flex software, which runs on Adobe Flash Player. The utility allows the user to create documents and thereafter store them in Buzzword system so that they can easily be retrieved for document collaboration. Currently, Buzzword supports RTF (Rich Text Format) files, MS-Word files and Word 2003 XML files.

The online utility also runs on Adobe AIR, providing users an amalgam of online and offline environment and allowing them to work on hosted and local documents with ease. The remarkable collaboration capabilities of Buzzword allow users to edit and comment on documents anywhere, anytime. In nutshell, Buzzword provides a great framework around which Adobe can put together its web-based productivity suite.

What will Happen to Virtual Ubiquity?
All employees of Virtual Ubiquity will become a part of Adobe Systems, where they will share all their knowledge and experience in online document collaboration. “The ability of today’s youth to live and play together online inspires us and compels us to think more and more about online collaboration. It was this inspiration that coerced us to create the online word processor, Buzzword that allows users to work and share online without sacrificing the quality,” states Rick Treitman, CEO of Virtual Ubiquity.

By acquiring Buzzword, Adobe is transforming the way people come together and exchange ideas and information with each other. The acquisition is a milestone for Adobe as it reinforces its leadership in the emerging arena of online document collaboration.