The server-based version of InDesign underpins these applications for personalisation and automated production could make it as significant to the next generation of print and publishing workflows as PostScript was to desktop publishing and PDF was to pre-press workflow automation.

"Publishers are under constant pressure to produce personalised content in more places with fewer resources," said Adobe senior director of creative professional products Mark Hilton.

"What customers have had to compromise is typographical and design quality. Now developers can build automated solutions that save time, money and resources without sacrificing visual quality."

The first firms to incorporate the product into their own solutions include publishing system developers Cacidi, Managing Editor, Sansui Software, Wave2 Media Solutions and Woodwing Software. Variable data and personalisation specialist XMPie has also developed a product based on InDesign Server CS2.

Chris Hodges, Wave2 founder and managing director, said that the launch of InDesign Server would allow Wave2 users to "produce documents of a creative standard not previously considered possible".

A further 120 firms are considering the package for use in products set to launch in 2006 and 2007.

*Adobe's proposed acquisition of Macromedia has been cleared by the US Department of Justice and will complete in the coming weeks.