Cloud computing firm Salesforce.com and Adobe have partnered to offer a joint data platform incorporating the Force.com platform and Adobe’s Flash technology. This is the first time Salesforce.com has partnered with another company on a product. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Adobe Flash Builder for Force.com is a jointly engineered platform that helps clients build cloud-based rich Internet applications.
“Direct marketers need Web traffic and business applications to do what they do,” said Eric Stahl, senior director of product marketing at Salesforce.com. “They’re always looking for ways to lower costs and run rich Internet applications without the headaches associated with on-premise software platforms.”
Businesses can use Force.com to build applications without the use of software. These apps can range from customizable consumer databases to large-scale e-commerce sites. Force.com also provides real-time analytics.
The partnership also allows Salesforce.com to extend the reach of its products and enables users to create custom applications, such as an e-commerce site using a Flash drag-and-drop shopping cart feature, Stahl added. It also allows users of the software to create desktop applications outside their Web browsers using Adobe’s Air platform. The feature can be used by travelers or employees who work away from Internet connections, he added.
Web site developer Model Metrics is a client of both Adobe and Salesforce.com, according to an October 26 statement from the companies announcing the partnership.
The product is available for developer preview. Stahl said it will be widely available during the first half of next year.
Last month, Adobe announced it will acquire Web analytics software firm Omniture. The deal will enable Adobe clients to track and optimize Web campaigns using Omniture’s analytics.
Adobe did not return a phone call seeking comment.
