Tag Archives: Adobe

Embracing eSignatures: How the SSA is Modernizing Document Processing in the Digital Age

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In an era where digital transformation is reshaping both the public and private sectors, the Social Security Administration (SSA) is taking significant strides to modernize how it processes its vast quantities of mail. With millions of Americans relying on the SSA for benefits and services, the agency has long been burdened by a mountain of paperwork. In response to this challenge, the SSA is turning to eSignatures as a key tool in reducing administrative burdens and enhancing efficiency.

The Need for Change: SSA’s Digital Transformation

When considering disability claims, Social Security benefits, or Medicare enrollments, the processes that must be undertaken by the SSA often require signatures for approval. The SSA handles millions of such transactions each year, which are typically paper-based, contributing to a significant administrative burden.[1]

The agency has been working to digitize its services and reduce its reliance on physical mail. The NARA OCRO’s guidance for federal agencies states that converting documents from “digital to paper and back to digital is inefficient, expensive and introduces risks to the authenticity of the records”, and they “encourage agencies to determine if they can move to all-digital workflows that support electronic or digital signatures in place of wet-ink signatures.”[2] The ultimate goal is to deliver faster, more secure services to the American public, cutting down on processing times and improving overall user experience.

How eSignatures Are Transforming SSA’s Operations

The introduction of eSignatures at the SSA marks a pivotal moment in the agency’s journey toward full digital modernization.

Electronic signatures offer:

  • a secure, verifiable method for authenticating documents
  • Much quicker routing/processing of forms and signatures 
  • Programmatic extraction of form data directly into databases

Electronic signatures also help mitigate or eliminate:

  • Manual processing of paper forms
  • Lost/misplaced/overwhelming quantities of paperwork
  • Incorrect/incomplete responses on a form
  • Forgery/tampering with the document after signature

This transformation is not just about improving internal efficiency; it also drastically improves the experience for beneficiaries. With eSignatures, claimants can now sign documents from the comfort of their homes, avoiding the need to mail in paperwork or visit SSA offices in person. This digital convenience is particularly crucial for elderly or disabled individuals who may have difficulty traveling to an SSA office or navigating complex forms.

A Broader Push for Digital Modernization

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The adoption of eSignatures is just one component of a broader push for digital modernization within the SSA. This transformation aligns with the federal government’s broader initiatives, led by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), to promote a “digital-first” public service experience​.[3]

Despite the clear benefits, the road to digital modernization is not without its challenges. One major obstacle is the need for robust cybersecurity measures and compliance. As more processes move online, the SSA must ensure that the sensitive personal data of millions of Americans is protected from cyber threats. Government agencies specifically are recommended to focus on eSignature solutions with the following features:[4]

  • Desired level of compliance, such as FedRAMP accreditation
  • End-to-end advanced encryption
  • CAC/PIV support.

Furthermore, the integration of eSignatures into the SSA’s workflows also requires the development of user-friendly platforms that can accommodate individuals with varying levels of digital literacy. A core pillar of digital experience is to meet the end user where they are, whether by making documents accessible to all users regardless of disability, or by offering choices to the end user as per their preference, such as the option to eSign from a computer or mobile device. 

If these challenges can be successfully navigated, the potential for cost and time savings is astounding. Forms and signatures often entail lengthy processes spanning multiple people, thus time savings for one individual can cascade to every other individual in the process, meaning a better experience for all parties.

Conclusion: The Future of SSA in a Digital World

The SSA’s move toward eSignatures and digital modernization is a significant step forward in the agency’s efforts to improve service delivery and reduce administrative burdens. By reducing the reliance on physical mail and embracing digital tools, the SSA is not only enhancing its operational efficiency but also making it easier for Americans to access the benefits and services they rely on. As the federal government continues to push for digital-first solutions across all agencies, the SSA’s example highlights the importance of embracing new technologies to meet the needs of a modern, tech-savvy population.

Check out this on-demand webinar for more information on this series and how Adobe can support your organization’s digital transformation initiatives.

Sources:

[1] Miller, J. (2024, September 4). SSA leaning into e-signatures as way to cut mountain of mail. Retrieved from Federal News Network: https://federalnewsnetwork.com/it-modernization/2024/09/ssa-leaning-into-e-signatures-as-way-to-cut-mountain-of-mail/

[2] Archives, U. N. (2024, June 20). Transition to a Fully Digital Government: Digital Signatures. Retrieved from Records Express: https://records-express.blogs.archives.gov/2024/06/20/transition-to-a-fully-digital-government-digital-signatures/

[3] Martorana, C. (2024, April 17). Progress Towards Delivering a Digital-First Public Experience. Retrieved from White House: https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/briefing-room/2024/04/17/progress-towards-delivering-a-digital-first-public-experience/

[4] Hajarnis, S. (2024, June 27). Choosing an eSignature Solution? Here’s what government agencies should look for. Retrieved from https://www.americancityandcounty.com/2024/06/27/choosing-an-esignature-solution-heres-what-government-agencies-should-look-for/

Transforming Public Sector Efficiency: A Two-Pronged Approach to Modernization

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Throughout the history of government technology adoption, agencies have continually adapted to the ever-changing technological landscape. With the increasing demand for digital governance, the drive to modernize both the workforce and the citizen experiences is more important than ever. This dual focus ensures that agencies can not only improve their internal operations but also foster stronger, more responsive relationships with the public. This means fulfilling their overall missions easier than ever while rising to meet the ever-growing expectations of the people they serve.

Modernizing the Workforce

Government employees are the backbone of public service, working day in and day out to ensure that citizens receive the support they need. As the demands on these employees grow more complex, it’s crucial that we provide them not just with advanced tools, but with a work environment that fosters collaboration and encourages ongoing learning. The shift isn’t just about adopting new technologies; it’s about creating a culture where innovation thrives, and where every team member feels empowered to contribute to the agency’s mission.

With a rising demand for digital services, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, public sector employees have faced unprecedented challenges. From adopting new technologies to managing complex workflows to rapidly adapting to this surge in service demands, their roles have become more fundamental than ever. This period highlighted the importance of equipping government workers with the skills and tools needed to thrive in a digital-first environment.

To navigate these challenges effectively, agencies must prioritize seamless collaboration and strategic work management. This involves adopting tools that enhance communication, align projects with agency goals, and provide transparency into progress. We’ve seen that by fostering a culture of collaboration and transparency, agencies can ensure that every project contributes to the broader mission, empowering employees to deliver results more efficiently.

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Moreover, modernization also means streamlining outdated processes that have long hindered efficiency. For example, enrollment processes have traditionally been slow and cumbersome, often relying on paper-based systems. By modernizing these workflows through automation and digital tools, agencies can reduce administrative burdens, improve accuracy, and speed up service delivery. This allows government employees to focus on more strategic tasks, ultimately enhancing the overall employee experience. These enrollment processes are not simply internal agency constraints but also form a core element of the drive to modernize the citizen experience as well.

Modernizing Citizen Experiences

In today’s digital world, citizens expect the same level of service from government agencies as they do from their favorite online retailers. This means that government websites and online services need to be intuitive, accessible, and responsive to the needs of every user. By prioritizing user-centered design and using data to inform decisions, agencies can ensure that their digital platforms are not only functional but also welcoming. It’s about making every interaction count, whether it’s a simple information request or a more complex service transaction.

It is often the case that the online presence of a government agency is the first point of contact for residents seeking information or services. However, many government websites still struggle with outdated designs and inconsistent content, which can negatively affect public perception and engagement. This is why creating those meaningful, personalized experiences is an integral part of digital transformation in the public sector. By doing so, agencies can create more cohesive, accessible, and engaging digital services that resonate with citizens. This approach ensures that online interactions are intuitive and aligned with the diverse needs of the public, leading to higher satisfaction and trust in government services.

Furthermore, in an era where information is consumed rapidly across multiple channels, the ability to quickly create, manage, and distribute content is crucial. Delays in content delivery can result in missed opportunities for engagement and a failure to address the immediate needs of citizens. By increasing content velocity—improving internal workflows, streamlining content management, and ensuring that content is tailored to specific audiences—agencies can more effectively communicate with the public, delivering prompt and relevant information that enhances citizen engagement.

Conclusion

The challenges facing government agencies today are significant, but they also present opportunities for innovation and growth. Modernizing the workforce and citizen experiences are two sides of the same coin in the journey toward a more efficient and responsive government. By adopting strategies that streamline work management, modernize enrollment processes, enhance web experiences, and increase content velocity, agencies can better serve their citizens and build a stronger connection between government and the public it serves. This dual approach to modernization is essential for navigating the challenges of the digital age and fulfilling the mission of serving citizens effectively.

View our Adobe webinar series to learn more about creating experience-driven government services. 

Creating a Unified eLearning Environment to Deliver a Comprehensive Educational Experience

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What to Consider When Building a Unified eLearning Environment

The core components of a unified eLearning Environment are content creation, delivery of the information, and tracking the effectiveness of the training. Adobe provides a cohesive platform for organizations to succeed in all three phases of this process. The advantage of having these tools under one umbrella is that they work seamlessly together, so the focus can be on the training and not the technology behind it. In this post, we will look at what tools can be leveraged to create dynamic engaging content, how you can deliver that content in new and immersive ways, and where you can track and manage the effectiveness of the training in an easily digestible manner.

Creating Content that Drives Interactivity

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The key to an exceptional eLearning experience is getting the learners to the keyboard and the screen. Interactivity helps mitigate multitasking and keeps the learner focused on the information being delivered. Developing your courses in Adobe Captivate allows you to add interactive elements like quizzes and branching scenarios where learners can make choices that affect the path of the lesson, providing a more personal training tool. Taking this development one step further, the virtual reality (VR) capability can create an immersive learning environment with a plethora of VR interactions that course designers can implement. Finally, adding responsive design to the courses ensures they look amazing. The content will adapt to various screen sizes, so the experience is optimal whether the learner is on a laptop, tablet, or phone. For more hands-on training, the software simulation element allows for creating tutorial-type content that learners can then emulate in a virtual mock-up environment to learn the skills demonstrated. Once the content is built it can be published directly to Adobe Learning Manager (ALM), Adobe’s LMS, for delivery and tracking. Driving interactivity captures the learners’ attention and thus leads to better information retention.

Next-Generation Virtual Classrooms Leveraging AI and Apps

Whether artificial intelligence (AI) is good or bad can be debated, but there is no doubt that it is here, and it will only get faster, more accurate, and grow in its capabilities. Adobe Connect has an app called “Chat Plus” that allows you to access AI in the chat during virtual classes. This allows hosts and presenters to instantly access information that may take several clicks to find in a search engine. Generative AI algorithms can help create new ways to spice up the virtual content through AI tools such as text (ChatGPT, Gemini, Sonnet), images (Adobe Firefly, Midjourney, DALL-E), and audio (Suno, Donna, AIVA). Text can be used to generate session outlines, quiz questions, polls, and slide structures. Images are great for virtual room backgrounds, slide deck visuals, and whiteboard exercises. Audio can be used as lobby background music, quiz music, or translated recordings. By combining these AI features with applications from the Adobe Connect App Store, you create a fully immersive learning experience that goes way beyond screen sharing and whiteboarding. Mixing up media types when delivering virtual classroom training keeps the learner engaged and entertained.

Managing the Blended Learning Classroom

As organizations work on balancing in-office vs. remote workers, the blended learning experience for training is becoming the norm. Blended learning can present numerous challenges, like tracking attendance, utilizing breakout rooms, or taking quizzes. However, it can also provide opportunities, like having content that is always available via recordings, addressing learners who learn better synchronously vs. asynchronously or vice-versa, and cost-effectively training a globally dispersed audience. When you combine the power of Adobe Connect (Virtual Classrooms) and Adobe Learning Manager (Adobe’s LMS), there is now a single hub for all synchronous AND asynchronous learning. Seamless data exchange between the products allows for more accurate reporting to better measure the training’s effectiveness. A unified user experience for instructors and learners means that managing, scheduling, and accessing the blended learning courses can all be done in a straightforward easy-to-use platform.

The Love/Hate Relationship with a Learning Management System (LMS)

The complexity involved with setting up an LMS and managing it can be overwhelming. Adobe Learning Manager was designed specifically for enterprise delivery of courses in an easy-to-manage platform, with Admins and Learners in mind. The idea was to simplify the process with personalized learning paths, comprehensive learning tools, social learning, gamification, mobile accessibility, and certification/badging. Each learner has a dashboard to track their progress and see recommended courses. A calendar with automated emails and system notifications to help learners manage their schedules, and a home page with announcements to provide an easy way to share information. Gamification and social learning elements can be enabled to foster an engaging eLearning ecosystem, and connection to other eLearning tools allows it to serve as a one-stop shop for all learner training. With ALM, automated smart workflows for learning plans, content reusability, and detailed reporting help take the complexity out of managing an organization’s training program.

Additionally, if you or anyone you know would like to dive deeper into Adobe’s digital learning applications and how they can be applied to create exceptional hybrid learning experiences, watch the on-demand recordings from our 8-part webinar series, Advancing Unified Learning Environments, to learn from Adobe’s digital learning experts who will guide you through building an all-in-one learning environment, designing captivating training content, managing content and learners, and amplifying your message through engaging live virtual instruction and social learning experiences.

Access our on-demand recordings and presentation resources.

Seamlessly Enhance Accessibility in CX Through Communication

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To provide comprehensive, seamless and fulfilling customer experience (CX), agencies must listen to customer feedback. Part of the Federal Government’s current CX initiatives, inspired by the President’s Management Agenda Executive Order Transforming Federal Customer Experience and Service Delivery to Rebuild Trust in Government and 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act (IDEA), focuses on improving the digital experience of Government customers. Agencies with public-facing services that were designated as High-Impact Service Providers (HISPs) follow the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)’s guidance to move services online. By highlighting customer feedback and utilizing technology to improve service delivery, agencies can make strides to improve their CX.

Where To Start

Improving CX should be faced with a rigorous, multi-channeled approach. For many agencies, the renewal of their services will take 2-3 years, if not longer. Strategies for reshaping CX will vary among agencies, as certain stages in their journey will be specific to their needs. However, on a broad organizational level, there are a few main steps agencies can take. Initial goals manifest as process mapping. This critical step can help agencies understand what Federal programs are asking of them, and what they need to do to improve their agency. Next, agencies should establish a robust feedback process. To improve customer service, agencies must gather information through surveys to understand the wants and needs of the constituents they serve. Specific milestones along this process can include encouraging agency employees to work with customers directly or acclimating them to new services or applications. Some agencies will work primarily online. After recording what resources, portals and technical assistances exist, as well as what improvements need to be made, agencies should begin refining their CX strategies. Across all Federal agencies, design should be seamless and accessible.

Technology and CX, Hand In Hand

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When improving CX, agencies should integrate technology into their feedback process. Technologies such as clear and readable dashboards, analytics campaigns and automation can enable employees to read and acknowledge all feedback received. Once employees analyze feedback, they will be empowered to implement necessary changes vital to both employee and customer happiness. Empowerment can come in the form of setting up IT teams with employees at all levels of the company, granting and delegating capabilities to experts. Driving improvements in CX can look like implementing customer-facing services. With call centers, chat bots, community centers and more, agencies must consider how their services are being utilized and whether they are optimized. The strategy behind the service is just as important as the service offered.

Oftentimes, customers are not compelled to respond to paper or virtual surveys. Sending employees out into the field to and provide a face-to-face, personable interaction and garner real-time reactions can help gather a response from a larger sample. With the usage of analytics programs, agencies can track how many outreach efforts it takes to get responses to online initiatives, as well as the time spent on those responses.

Equity and Accessibility

The equity and accessibility of their customers are imperative for agencies considering enhancing their CX capabilities. Public-facing services reach millions of customers, and therefore, need to be accessible to a variety of different people. For example, even some smaller states feature citizens with more than 95 different languages. To communicate with everyone, agencies can provide language services. When crafting statements, reaching people of different education levels must be accounted for as well. Websites, pitches or pamphlets that explain service access should be clear and concise. Regardless of socioeconomic status or location, every customer deserves access to Government resources. While many aspects of Government services have moved online, not everyone has access to stable internet or a device. Therefore, agencies should consider physical centers or kiosks at community centers. Additionally, experiences should be consistent across these diverse backgrounds. All customer service should be thoughtful and considerate. Agencies need to understand their respective compliance and accessibility standards. Offering audio provisions on websites and closed captions on videos can help reach a wider audience as well.

Adobe works from the omni-channel experience to set a higher standard for the digital experience in Government. By working directly with clients, Adobe can help stakeholders and vendors to champion their customer service.

To learn more about how Adobe is setting a higher standard for CX in Federal Government, watch their interview with Federal News Network on implementing feedback to improve customer service.

Enabling the Mobile Workforce With Secure Forms and Electronic Signatures

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In this era of a largely remote and globally distributed workforce, where most workers want to be productive wherever they are — and on any device — it’s crucial to secure every endpoint from any threat that could compromise the security, prosperity, and integrity of an organization and its critical infrastructure. This is particularly true for governments and regulated industries.

Secure Forms for Productivity and Security

Forms are essential to all organizations, as they are a part of all important business processes, and a vital element of the customer journey. Forms are essential to collect information, progress the next best action, and deliver services. As with any heavily relied-on technology, forms’ security must be top of mind. Traditionally, the answer to this demand has been to gate our most mission-critical forms and documents behind cumbersome desktop technology. In this way, stakeholders had peace of mind that the verification of signature authenticity, and document chain-of-custody, could be protected and maintained.

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However, today’s workforce demands more options. Modern technology enables forms, and their connected digital document workflows, to deliver an optimized and personalized experience for the user — all while maintaining strong authentication, privacy, security, and adherence to data governance policies. As organizations continue to accommodate increasingly complex models for remote productivity, digital document workflows must flex with the times. They must be designed, deployed, and dispatched using intuitive interfaces and automation, across a wide range of mobile devices.

BlackBerry and Adobe: Innovation for Secure Mobile Productivity

To accomplish this forms maturity journey, BlackBerry and Adobe have partnered to deliver an innovative and secure digital document-signing solution, for governments and regulated industries. By combining BlackBerry Unified Endpoint Manager (UEM) and Adobe Experience Manager Forms, the two industry leaders have created a solution that is designed for mobile devices, yet still meets the rigorous security standards required by governments and the world’s most demanding enterprises.

This partnership between BlackBerry and Adobe enables the following outcomes:

  • It’s now possible to fill and sign forms with a smart card (i.e., CAC, PIV) easily and securely, from any device, anywhere, without requiring a VPN (virtual private network)
  • Automatically maintain verified credentials in a secure keystore
  • Granular management and document tracking capabilities are backed by the most trusted and reliable security in the market
  • Employees can leave sensitive desktop computing technology behind, at home or the office, minimizing security risks while enhancing user convenience

BlackBerry UEM leverages private key certificates to secure the connection to Adobe Experience Manager Forms, allowing employees to complete and sign forms and other documents from anywhere, on their corporate-issued or BYO (bring your own) mobile devices, and without a VPN.

Leveraging Security as a Strategic Enabler for Productivity

Enhancing productivity requires adopting dynamic, responsive, and mobile-friendly forms solutions that are easy to use. Adobe Experience Manager Forms embraces this, while enabling organizations to modernize their data capture and digital document workflows into a seamless, agile user experience. It allows users to capture data and authenticated signatures, and integrates into back-end systems to automate manual workflows. Adobe Experience Manager Forms also allows users to move away from paper or static PDF forms, while also embracing multiple benefits, including:

  • Responsive modern forms: Embrace operational modernization with mobile responsive, web-based forms, on any device, at any point in the discovering, filing, and signing process.
  • Scalable authoring: With the ability to create reusable sections and templates, and an easy drag-and-drop interface, Adobe Experience Manager Forms allows organizations to streamline business processes across the enterprise at scale.
  • Meaningful customer conversations: Powerful data integrations with pre-fill and multi-language support automatically personalize forms and communications, and trigger the next-best action.
  • Automation: Adobe Experience Manager Forms enables you to start on one device, then save and resume on another, to make end-to-end customer journeys faster. This reduces cost and saves time. Mobile and web-based forms combined with smart, certificate-based signature tools and automated workflows, help eliminate paper and laborious manual processes.

These outcomes, which have previously been considered out of reach for governments and regulated industries, are made possible by the best-of-breed security, and intuitive user experience, of BlackBerry UEM.

Awarded the most government security certifications of any unified endpoint manager, and approved for both classified and unclassified use, BlackBerry UEM is trusted by organizations around the world. Customers that trust BlackBerry UEM to keep them always-on, and securely connected, include the federal governments of numerous countries around the world, including the Canadian and U.S. governments, and many of the largest and most prestigious players in the global financial services industry. Announced earlier this year, BlackBerry UEM was named a 2023 Customers’ Choice for unified endpoint management tools on Gartner® Peer Insights™ — the only UEM tool to receive the distinction this year.

Digital document workflows should not be limited to desktop environments. Business value can no longer be delayed or denied by lack of mobile support for securely completing and signing electronic documents. Productivity must not come at the cost of security. The innovative partnership between BlackBerry and Adobe holds the answer.

Contact a member of our team today to learn more about how, together, BlackBerry and Adobe can help modernize your organization with the most secure forms and electronic signature technologies.

Enhancing Government Creative Teams with Adobe Creative Cloud

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As government agencies continue to modernize their workflows, the need for advanced creative tools becomes increasingly paramount. Adobe Creative Cloud (CC) offers a suite of applications that can revolutionize how government creative teams operate. This blog will delve into the latest features in Adobe CC applications and how they can benefit government creative teams, enhancing productivity, creativity, and collaboration.

Adobe Photoshop: Elevating Image Editing

Adobe Photoshop remains the cornerstone of digital image editing. The latest updates introduce a revamped user interface that is more intuitive, making it easier for new users to navigate while providing seasoned professionals with a more streamlined experience.

Enhanced color adjustment tools allow for more precise control over color grading, crucial for producing high-quality images that meet stringent government standards. The improved selection tools enable users to refine selections with unprecedented accuracy, ensuring that every detail in a project is meticulously handled.

One of the standout features is the integration with Adobe Firefly AI. This includes AI Expand, AI Fill, AI Text Generation, and AI Object Selections, which significantly reduce the time spent on repetitive tasks. Government teams can leverage these AI-powered tools to accelerate their workflow, focusing more on creativity and less on mundane tasks.

Adobe Lightroom: Seamless Photo Management and Editing

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Adobe Lightroom offers robust tools for photo management and editing, making it ideal for government agencies that handle large volumes of photographic content. The new importing options, including cloud and local drive features, provide greater flexibility in managing assets.

The user interface enhancements facilitate smoother navigation, allowing teams to work more efficiently. Tools like exposure and color balance are crucial for maintaining consistency across projects. The addition of Blur tools and Lens Blur features further enhance the creative possibilities, enabling users to achieve professional-grade edits effortlessly.

Moreover, the seamless integration with Adobe Photoshop means that assets edited in Lightroom can be transitioned to Photoshop for further refinement, ensuring a cohesive workflow.

Adobe Illustrator: Vector Graphics Excellence

Adobe Illustrator is essential for creating high-quality vector graphics. The application’s core tools, such as the Pen tool and Shape tool, have been refined for better usability. Whether starting with the Banana tool or Pen tool, users can quickly determine the best approach for their project.

Adobe Firefly AI’s capabilities in Illustrator are transformative. From generating backgrounds and icons to utilizing color editing tools, Firefly AI enhances creative efficiency. Features like Generative Recolor and vector artwork generation allow government teams to produce sophisticated graphics with ease, ensuring their visual communications are both impactful and professional.

Adobe InDesign: Streamlined Document Design

Adobe InDesign is a powerful tool for creating polished documents. Efficient document setup and the use of the Pages panel streamline the design process, making it easier to organize and navigate projects.

Importing text and ensuring proper formatting are crucial for maintaining consistency in government documents. Standardized character and paragraph styles save time and ensure a professional look. The Link panel and its embedding features simplify file management, reducing the risk of broken links and ensuring all assets are properly integrated.

Adobe Premiere Rush and Premiere Pro: Video Editing Mastery

Adobe Premiere Rush provides a comprehensive tutorial and tool layout for learning the user interface, making it accessible for all skill levels. Loading video files and constructing a well-organized timeline are straightforward, and the shortcut windows enhance editing workflows.

Premiere Rush’s layout and formatting options enhance the visual appeal of projects, while the export feature simplifies the finalization process. For more advanced video editing needs, Adobe Premiere Pro offers a user-friendly design with enhanced Sequence Preset options and a redesigned Motion Graphics Template Workspace.

Firefly AI integration in Premiere Pro, with features like removing filler text and “Edit by text” functionality, streamlines the editing process. Enhanced trimming and multiple camera improvements ensure a smoother and more polished video editing experience, ideal for government projects requiring high-quality visual content.

Adobe Stock and Adobe Express: Access to Extensive Creative Assets

Adobe Stock serves as a versatile reservoir for licensed images, audio, video, templates, and more. Its extensive filters allow users to fine-tune searches, ensuring they find exactly what they need. The license file history feature simplifies tracking and managing licensed items.

Integration with Adobe Express demonstrates the ease of creating posts and utilizing Adobe Stock’s library for customization. Firefly AI capabilities, such as Text-to-Image and Generative Fill, bring AI-powered magic to users’ fingertips. Adobe Express enables quick video edits with preset transitions and royalty-free video options, perfect for government agencies looking to produce engaging content efficiently.

Adobe Experience Manager: Efficient Digital Asset Management

Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) Assets offers powerful digital asset management, essential for government teams managing extensive content. Asset tagging and folder organization maximize productivity, while seamless collaboration facilitates effective content creation and distribution.

The tight integration between AEM and Adobe Creative Cloud enhances asset lifecycle management, ensuring all digital assets are efficiently managed and utilized across projects.

Adobe Creative Cloud’s latest features provide government creative teams with advanced tools to enhance their productivity and creativity. From image editing and photo management to vector graphics, document design, video editing, and digital asset management, Adobe CC applications cater to diverse needs, ensuring government agencies can deliver high-quality content with efficiency and precision. Embracing these tools can significantly elevate the capabilities of government creative teams, fostering innovation and excellence in their work.

Additionally, if you or anyone you know would like to dive deeper into Adobe creative applications and how they can be applied to current government projects, watch the on-demand recordings from our 8-part webinar series, Elevate Creative Workflows with AI-Enhanced Digital Designs, to discover how Adobe Creative Cloud solutions play a pivotal role in accelerating creative workflows and leverages AI to facilitate the efficient development of digital experiences.

Contact our Adobe solutions experts today for a experts demonstration on how to utilize the newest tools, upgrades, features, and integration capabilities that teams across all fields can leverage for compelling and exciting digital designs.

Adobe Express: The Content Creation Powerhouse

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Adobe Max 2023 has finally arrived, and with it came a slew of intuitive new features and software options. As expected, Adobe’s primary focus this year was on its powerful AI innovations and tools. Unexpectedly however, Adobe Express, an application which previously was focused on social media content creation has received an enormous upgrade. So, let’s talk about these exciting new features and why it’s exciting for the government space.

Adobe Express is a powerful software suite that has gained significant traction in various industries for its user-friendly interface and versatile tools. While it’s widely known for its applications in creative fields such as graphic design, marketing, and content creation, its potential in the government space remains largely untapped and yet to be fully realized. Its adaptability and diverse functionalities make it an asset for government agencies seeking efficient solutions for their content related projects.

One of the primary advantages of Adobe Express in the government sector is its ability to streamline communication. The software allows for the creation of visually engaging documents, presentations, and reports, enabling agencies to convey complex information in a more digestible and visually appealing manner. Whether it’s producing internal reports or communicating with the public, the software’s intuitive design tools aid in crafting impactful visual content, enhancing the effectiveness of government messages.

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Furthermore, Adobe Express’s compatibility with various file formats ensures seamless integration with existing government systems. This feature is pivotal in maintaining consistency and compatibility across different departments and agencies, facilitating the exchange of information and collaboration between various governmental bodies. It promotes a standardized approach to document creation, reducing compatibility issues and simplifying the sharing of information.

Data security and compliance are of utmost importance in the government sector, and Adobe Express offers robust security features to ensure the protection of sensitive information. With encryption, user authentication, and secure cloud storage options, the software provides a level of security essential for government use.

Another aspect worth highlighting is the software’s ability to handle a wide variety of tasks within government operations. From creating visually rich training materials for employees to designing public awareness campaigns, Adobe Express caters to a wide range of needs. Its features enable the development of interactive forms, streamlined workflows, and the creation of accessible content, ensuring inclusivity within government initiatives.

In addition, the software’s capacity for analytics and data visualization aids in the communication and presentation of complex information. This capability is invaluable in governmental decision-making processes, enabling officials to comprehend data more effectively and communicate insights to stakeholders and the public.

The use of Adobe Express can also lead to cost and time efficiencies within government departments. The software’s user-friendly interface reduces the need for extensive training, allowing employees to quickly grasp its functionalities. Its cloud-based solutions minimize the need for extensive physical infrastructure, reducing costs related to storage and maintenance.

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the implementation of Adobe Express in government operations becomes increasingly relevant. However, its adoption may require tailored training programs and guidelines to ensure its optimal use and adherence to government protocols and standards.

In conclusion, Adobe Express offers a variety of tools and features that can significantly benefit government agencies. From enhancing communication and data security to fostering efficiency and innovation, its application in the government space holds immense potential, paving the way for more effective and visually compelling government initiatives.

Contact our team today to learn more about the latest trends discussed at Adobe MAX 2023 and how Carahsoft’s Adobe experts can support your organization.

IRS Uses Digital Signatures for Improved Public Experiences

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At the start of March 2022, the IRS launched the Taxpayer Experience Office (TEO) to improve taxpayers’ experience with digital tools, such as fully transparent accounts, expanded e-File and payment options, digital signatures, and secure two-way messaging. TEO is working with their IT, digitalization, and policy shops to identify projects that will produce the most modernization, according to agency officials. The four offices are meant to coordinate the expedition of either internal or external processes, depending on the ROI, with TEO handling the former and the Enterprise Digitalization and Case Management Office (EDCMO) the latter. “For its part, EDCMO focuses on taking paper processes digital where the cost savings are highest and the processing hours and employees in seats lowest”.[1] The main goal is to optimize business processes and technology, which normally begins with small digital transformations, but EDCMO already achieved a 178% ROI in its first year, which indicates a promising future for their endeavors.[1]

Opportunities in the Field of Digital Modernization

The IRS issued the first wave of job postings for more than 200 technologists back in March of 2022, as it plans to hire to continue modernizing IT. Positions range from entry-level to supervisory across system development, architecture, engineering, cybersecurity, IT operations, network services and customer support.

Desired skillsets are cloud, zero-trust security, low- and no-code enterprise platforms, machine learning and artificial intelligence, and NoSQL databases. The IRS faces a daunting, largely paper-based backlog of tax returns every year, so shifting to digital will help streamline to make these yearly processes run smoother and faster. As was the case with COVID-19 recovery, the IRS is also called upon to administer relief, like Economic Impact Payments and advance payments of the Child Tax Credit. They are also instances of processes that could be made more efficient by implementing digital solutions because of the quicker turnaround that those platforms provide in comparison to manual, paper-based ones.[1]

Digital Signature Service Authorization and Adoption within Government Agencies

The IRS is a notable example, but agencies within the Department of Defense are leaning into the trend of digital signature use as well. This initiative requires an effort in tandem from the industry side and the government side to achieve the necessary compliances for ensuring proper security across platforms. One of the main authorizations that these government entities and digital services must adhere to is the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP), which provides a standardized approach to security authorizations for Cloud Service Offerings. According to the FedRAMP Program Management Office, there are two ways to authorize a Cloud Service Offering (CSO) through FedRAMP—via an individual agency or the Joint Authorization Board (JAB). The authorization process involves selecting an authorization process, preparation, authorization, and then continuous monitoring as part of the main steps. There are currently 20 Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) under the status of “ready,” 96 “in process,” and 309 classified as “authorized” through the program. Digital signature solutions, being cloud-based services, must adhere to this type of authorization to be considered for use within many government agencies. As more agencies vouch for these services and work together with CSPs to secure certifications, more agencies, in turn, are also able to adopt them to achieve maximum efficiency.[2]

What Can Digital Signatures Help Accomplish?

Digital signatures greatly reduce the time spent during transactions. As noted across articles and input from the most successful signature providers featured on LinkedIn, they can greatly improve the day-to-day for businesses operating in a post-pandemic hybrid world, and the same benefits apply to government agencies.

Most notably, trusted digital signatures can help in the following:

Security: A digital signature confirms that all signers are who they claim to be, and it prevents retroactive alterations to the signed document or tampering in general.

Time: Signing a document with ink does not take any longer than signing with a digital signature, but the time it takes to move a wet signature document along to each recipient can take days or even weeks. In comparison, a digitally signed document can be delivered in minutes via email.

Collaboration: Working remote or employing physical distancing interfere with the ability to come together for document transactions. Even with the re-appearance of in-person operations, digital signatures allow quicker turnaround and provide the additional convenience of eliminating the need to convene in person.

The Environment: From the number of trees that go into printed sheets of paper to the amount of carbon emissions that can be saved, digital signatures are the green alternative to paper-based wet signatures.

Legality: Digital signatures uphold in legality across the US and globally, specifically by adhering to the E-Sign Act of 2000 and the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA).

 

Check out this on-demand webinar for more information on this series and how Adobe can support your organization’s digital transformation initiatives.

 

Resources:

[1] Nyczepir, Dave. “IRS Teams Old and New Working in Tandem on IT Modernization.” FedScoop, March 21, 2022. https://fedscoop.com/irs-teams-it-modernization-2022/.

[2] How to Become FedRAMP Authorized. Accessed July 5, 2023. https://www.fedramp.gov/.

How to Achieve your Agency’s Customer Experience Goals

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Customer experience pervades every aspect of what the government does — and some might argue, why it exists. What’s more, it has become profoundly clear that everyone is a customer. There are the obvious customers, people across the nation. But then there are current and former federal employees, businesses large and small, the government’s contracting community, other agencies and even other nations. Likely, there are more. Unlike a private company, a federal agency often has no competitor for its services. That fact has created a lag in the evolution of federal CX and digital services — relative to what businesses and nongovernment organizations typically provide today and what people now expect. Agencies are on it now though. The presidential executive order on customer experience of December 2021 targets the need to evolve CX and points up the destructive affect that poor service delivery has on public trust. Download the guide to learn how to meet the expectations of the public, as well as the many other customers agencies serve, with a multipronged strategy that focuses on culture, processes and technology.

 

Want to Enhance Customer Experience? Here’s Where to Start

“The key to the success of Farmers.gov is its simplicity, Bremby said. USDA has put all the information farmers need in a single place and made it easy for them to complete the necessary processes to receive services. USDA consolidated seven digital systems and 150 web resources into one intelligent platform that follows a user’s progress. And that, Bremby noted, is the biggest metric for success in customer experience: Did the customer complete the transaction? Or did they drop off somewhere in the middle of the process, like abandoning a cart while shopping online?”

Read more insights from Rod Bremby, Regional Vice President for Global Public Sector at Salesforce.

 

IIG FNN CX Blog Embedded Image 2023Meaningful Communication Creates the Foundation for Good Customer Experience

“Agencies are familiar with traditional communications media. They engage with public relations firms and the news media to promote stories. They conduct public awareness campaigns across every available platform, from bus stop advertisements to social media, and they tend to be pretty good at driving broad awareness. Where they fall short though, Peterson said, is more granular, personalized messaging.”

Read more insights from Angy Peterson, Vice President at Granicus.

 

How Federal Agencies can Pivot to Experience-driven Government

“People who rely on government services are usually accessing them at critical junctures in their lives, often moments of profound need. They’re looking for relief in the aftermath of a natural disaster, for public health data during an epidemic, for financial stability in retirement, and for ways to prepare for growth or cope with losses affecting their families and businesses. That’s why agencies need to pivot to experience-driven government, meeting citizens where they’re at in their journeys and connecting them with the right services at the right time.”

Read more insights from James Hanson, Head of Industry Strategy for the Public Sector at Adobe.

 

Don’t Let a Cyber Staff Shortage Weaken Your Defenses

“Federal agencies are taking note and have started making significant strides toward digital transformation, driven in no small part by recent directives, including the president’s executive order on customer experience. While competitive pressures often motivate private sector enterprises to invest in innovation, the government’s greatest competition is usually the status quo. Agencies have been delivering services in the same way for so long that impacting change requires redirecting institutional inertia — to say nothing of overcoming budgetary obstacles. One way for agencies to get started on this journey is to begin digitizing agreements.”

Read more insights from Michael “MJ” Jackson, Vice President and Global Head of Industries at DocuSign.

 

Here are 3 Phases to Begin Modernizing Customer Experience Right Away

“For years, agencies have been researching, modernizing and overhauling how customers experience doing business with the federal government. Over the course of several presidential administrations, with the help of Office of Management and Budget mandates, presidential executive orders and an influx of customer experience talent, there has been a noticeable shift toward organizational CX management approaches. Agencies have an opportunity to take full advantage of technological advances to improve customer experience management capacity at scale. Advances in cloud technology, data analytics and new communications channels have opened up new avenues to improve an agency’s capability to design and deliver services for both customers and federal employees.”

Read more insights from Matt Chong, Vice President of Federal at Qualtrics.

 

Download the full Expert Edition for more insights from these customer experience leaders and additional government interviews, historical perspectives and industry research.

Shaping the Future With 3D Software in Government

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Over the past few years, the use of 3D software has become increasingly important in Government Agencies. With advances in technology, government officials are turning to 3D software to help them visualize, analyze, and design projects with greater efficiency and effectiveness. This technology can provide several benefits, including improved collaboration, better decision-making, and increased efficiency.

One of the most significant benefits of 3D software is the ability to create realistic visualizations of data and designs. This is particularly useful in areas such as architecture, urban planning, and transportation. By using 3D software, government agencies can create realistic models of buildings, roads, and other infrastructure, allowing stakeholders to see how designs will look in the real world. This can help to identify potential issues early in the planning process, leading to more efficient and cost-effective solutions.

Adobe 3D Software Blog Embedded Image 2023For example, a city planning department could use 3D software to create a digital model of a new highway interchange. The model could be used to identify potential traffic bottlenecks, analyze the impact on nearby neighborhoods, and make design modifications to optimize traffic flow and minimize the impact on the community. By using 3D software, the planning department can gain valuable insights into the project and make better decisions that benefit both the city and its residents.

Another benefit of 3D software is improved collaboration. By creating 3D models of designs and data, government agencies can share information more easily and effectively with stakeholders. This can lead to better communication and a greater understanding of the issues at hand. Additionally, 3D software allows multiple stakeholders to view and interact with the same model, allowing for more efficient collaboration and problem-solving.

For instance, a team of engineers and architects working on a public works project could use 3D software to create a digital model of the project. The model could be shared with all team members, allowing them to see and interact with the same information. This would facilitate better communication and collaboration, as team members could identify potential issues and make design modifications in real time.

3D software can also improve decision-making in government agencies. By visualizing data and designs in 3D, agencies can better understand complex systems and identify potential problems before they occur. This can help agencies to make more informed decisions and avoid costly mistakes. Additionally, 3D software can help agencies to evaluate the impact of different policy decisions, allowing for more effective planning and resource allocation.

For example, a state transportation department could use 3D software to evaluate the impact of a proposed toll increase on highway usage. The department could create a 3D model of the highway system and use data analytics to simulate different traffic scenarios. This would allow them to evaluate the impact of the proposed toll increase and make more informed decisions about transportation policy.

Finally, 3D software can increase efficiency in government agencies. By using 3D software to create models and visualizations, agencies can streamline their workflows and reduce the time and resources required for planning and analysis. This can lead to faster decision-making and more effective use of resources.

For instance, a Federal agency could use 3D software to analyze satellite imagery of a natural disaster area. The software could automatically generate 3D models of the disaster area, allowing the agency to quickly assess the extent of the damage and prioritize response efforts. This would reduce the time required for manual analysis and allow the agency to more efficiently allocate resources.

In conclusion, the use of 3D software in government agencies can provide several benefits, including improved collaboration, better decision-making, and increased efficiency. As technology continues to advance, 3D software will likely become an increasingly important tool for government agencies across a range of fields.

 

If you or anyone you know would like to dive deeper into the Adobe creative applications and how they can be applied to current government projects, watch the on-demand recordings from our 8-part webinar series, Engage Audiences Across Screens with Powerful Collaboration and Creation.

Discover how Adobe Creative Cloud solutions accelerate creative workflows, allow for content creation across all screens and mediums, and enable quick and efficient creation of digital experiences. Our team of Adobe solutions experts demonstrate how to utilize the newest tools, upgrades, features, and integration capabilities that teams across all fields can leverage for compelling and exciting digital designs.