Creative tools are always evolving to meet modern demands of creative professionals. Server-based font managers are no different. Join Extensis Sr. Product Marketing Manager, Jim Kidwell as he covers the state of fonts in the creative workflow and how font management technologies are improving to meet the demand.

1. FUTURE TRENDS
IN FONT MANAGEMENT
Presented by Jim Kidwell

2. WHERE WE ARE TODAY
• Font centralization into a single server
• Automatic distribution to users
• Fonts synchronized for consistent use
• Users have easy access to corporate assets

3. FUTURE TRENDS
• Usage on more platforms
• Inclusion of additional creative teams
• Extension to other public-facing teams
• Evolving font access & file type support
• Production automation
• Increased compliance efforts

4. PLATFORM EXPANSION
• Primarily macOS for creative environments
• Windows use increasing
• Mixed OS environments more common
• Mobile & tablet users slow growth

5. MORE CREATIVE TEAM COVERAGE
• Graphic design – New Adobe CC, Affinity Designer
• Video production - After Effects, Premiere, Nuke
• Product design – Sketch
• Production
• Web teams

6. ADDITIONAL TEAMS
Any team that produces public
facing documents
• Sales
• Marketing
• Administration

7. FONT ACCESS & FILE TYPE SUPPORT
• Font library subscriptions / Typekit
• New font formats
§ Variable Font Format, SVG, web font formats
• Deprecation of legacy font formats
§ Multiple Master, Postscript, EOT

8. PRODUCTION AUTOMATION
• Automated publishing integration

9. FONT COMPLIANCE

10. COMPLIANCE EFFORTS
• Implementation is not just an enterprise issue
• Building effective strategies

11. FOUNDRY RELATIONS
• Build a relationship
• Many foundries are agreeable

12. UNDERSTAND LICENSE VARIATIONS
• Every foundry is different
• Copies of licenses should be available pre-purchase
• Standard licenses across foundries?
§ Desirable, yes?
§ Antitrust concerns prevent this

13. POTENTIAL LICENSE VARIATIONS
• Use on product – varies by number of imprints & use
• Embedding into eBooks
• Distribution to a printer
• Use of a single glyph
• Use in logo development
• Modification of original font file
• Use in an application
• Use on a website (web font use)
• United Nations clauses for overseas enforceability

14. COMPLIANCE STEPS
1. Inventory fonts
2. Collect to central location
3. Assess licensing
4. Lock down OS builds and application suites
5. Implement font management applications
6. Develop font licensing process
7. Train users and administrators
8. Give users access

15. LICENSED FONT SEQUESTRATION
STRATEGY
• Build two libraries (workgroups)
• known licensed fonts
• Fonts of unknown origin
• Lock down unknown origin to preview only
• As fonts are required, license them appropriately
• Add to licensed fonts library

16. TRUE-UP STRATEGY
• Known library of licensed fonts
• Enable usage tracking
• Set regular examination schedule
• Purchase additional licenses as required

17. STRICT USAGE STRATEGY
• Build library of known licensed fonts
• License for exact number of users
• Set usage restrictions at hard user limits
• Additional users beyond the limit are prevented from using fonts

18. FUTURE TRENDS RECAP
• Usage on more platforms
• Inclusion of additional creative teams
• Extension to other public-facing teams
• Evolving font access & file type support
• Production automation
• Increased compliance efforts

19. WHAT CAN YOU DO NOW?
• Download Server-based Font Management Best Practices Guide
§ http://www.extensis.com/fmbpg
• Assess your strategies and adjust accordingly
• Meet with an Extensis engineer today – signup at registration