Adobe LiveCycle Rights Management ES is a client-server-based digital rights management (DRM) product that integrates with most existing infrastructure, including directory systems, operating systems and databases. The tool allows organizations to create enforcement and control policies on a document basis to prevent printing, editing and copying for file types. LiveCycle can also provide dynamic watermarking for additional protection to add information, such as username, IP address, or even policy name. Embedded metadata in files allows them to link back to policies on the server with a centrally managed interface so users and/or administrators can change or edit policies in real time to remove or add users and groups.
Installation and deployment is quite straightforward. The installation is guided by an in-depth setup wizard, which installs the server software, as well as the application server needed by the product. At the end of installation, a second wizard is launched, which assists with initial configuration and deployment. After installation, the product applications are also simple and intuitive to use.
LiveCycle uses an application and web server to host documents. This allows for a great amount of flexibility and transparency to the end-user.
Documentation was comprised of a number of well-organized PDF guides. However, there were just too many. We would like to see them consolidated for better ease of searching.
Adobe offers an online knowledge base as free technical support. Enterprise-level support can be obtained through support contracts at a price of 20 percent of the license fee. This support includes phone and email technical support 24/7.
Adobe LiveCycle Rights Management ES pricing varies based on the number of users/recipients and forms. Volume discounts apply. With a price starting at $120 per recipient, this product can become expensive. However, we do find it to be a good value for the money based on its ability to control the entire document management process.