Summary
Use this article to request and receive an Adobe Creative Cloud (CC) license for business use. It covers eligibility, license options (All Apps, Single App, Acrobat Pro), the request/approval process, installation, and troubleshooting.
Audience
- Employees and contractors who need Adobe Creative Cloud for work.
- People managers and approvers.
- IT/procurement admins.
Last updated
- 2025-12-01
What’s included with an Adobe CC license
- All Apps: Access to the full Adobe Creative Cloud desktop and mobile apps (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, After Effects, XD/Figma updates may vary by contract), Adobe Fonts, and Creative Cloud storage (limits depend on our contract).
- Single App: Access to one specific app (e.g., Photoshop only, Illustrator only).
- Acrobat Pro: PDF editing, creation, e-sign (per contract), and advanced PDF tools.
- Generative AI (Firefly) features: Availability and monthly credits depend on our enterprise agreement and policy. Use is limited to business purposes and company brand guidelines.
Eligibility
- Full-time employees: Eligible with manager approval and valid business justification.
- Contractors/temporary staff: Case-by-case approval; limited-term licenses may be issued.
- Shared or lab devices: Use a shared device license if available (ask IT).
- Note: Personal Adobe IDs are not permitted for company work. Use your company SSO account.
Cost and chargeback
- Licenses may be billed to your cost center or project code.
- All Apps licenses are more expensive than Single App or Acrobat-only.
- If a budget owner is required, include their approval during submission.
- Renewal/true-up occurs annually or per our contract terms.
Before you request
- Confirm the app(s) you need (e.g., Photoshop + Illustrator vs. All Apps).
- Prepare a short business justification (examples below).
- Get manager approval (written approval via the ticket is acceptable unless your team requires pre-approval in a separate system).
- If you already have a personal Adobe subscription, plan to cancel it after you receive the enterprise license.
How to request a license (5–10 minutes)
1) Open the IT request portal
- Go to the company IT Service Desk portal (e.g., ServiceNow/JSM/Helpdesk).
- Search for “Adobe Creative Cloud” or “Software Request.”
2) Choose your license type
- Select one of: All Apps, Single App (specify which), Acrobat Pro.
- Select user type: Named user (most common) or Shared device (labs/kiosks).
3) Provide required details
- Business justification (2–3 sentences).
- Cost center/project code (if applicable).
- Manager/approver name and email.
- Operating system (Windows/macOS), and device name if requested.
- Urgency and deadline (e.g., “By Friday for client delivery”).
4) Submit the request for approval
- Your manager/budget owner will be asked to approve.
- IT/software asset management will provision the license after approval.
5) Watch for confirmation
- You’ll receive an email once the license is assigned.
- Typical fulfillment time: 1–3 business days after approval (expedited requests may vary).
Install and sign in
1) Install Creative Cloud Desktop
- If using a managed device: Install via Company Software Center/Self Service (preferred).
- Otherwise, download from Adobe: https://creativecloud.adobe.com/apps/download
- If installers are blocked, open a ticket with IT.
2) Sign in with company SSO
- Use your company email.
- When prompted, choose “Company or School Account” (not Personal).
- You may be redirected to company SSO (Microsoft Entra ID/Azure AD) for MFA.
3) Install your apps
- Open Creative Cloud Desktop, go to Apps, and click Install for the apps you’re licensed for.
- Acrobat Pro: If you requested only Acrobat Pro, ensure you install Acrobat Pro (not Reader).
4) Manage device activations
- If you see “Activation limit reached,” sign out from an unused device via Creative Cloud Desktop (Profile > Sign out), then sign in on your current device.
Upgrade, change, or cancel a license
- Change license type (e.g., Single App → All Apps): Submit a “Change Adobe CC License” request in the IT portal.
- Transfer license to another user: Submit a “Transfer Software License” request with the new user’s details.
- Cancel when no longer needed: Submit a “Cancel Adobe CC License” request at least 5 business days before month-end to avoid overage.
Business justification examples
- “Design marketing assets (web banners, social graphics) for Q1 campaign — requires Photoshop and Illustrator.”
- “Edit and deliver client video demos — requires Premiere Pro and After Effects.”
- “Prepare accessible PDFs and contracts — requires Acrobat Pro.”
- “Collaborate with Design on UI assets — requires Photoshop + Illustrator (Single App pair or All Apps based on availability).”
Data, privacy, and usage policy
- Use only for company work products.
- Store work files in approved company storage (OneDrive/SharePoint/Teams or company-sanctioned Creative Cloud storage as per policy).
- Follow brand guidelines for fonts, colors, and logos.
- Generative AI content must comply with company policy and client contracts. Check usage rights before external publication.
Common issues and fixes
- “No valid license found”
- Make sure you’re signing in with your company SSO account, not a personal Adobe ID.
- Sign out of Creative Cloud Desktop, quit the app, relaunch, and sign in again.
- If the issue persists, open a ticket; IT may need to reassign the license in the Adobe Admin Console.
- “You’ve reached your device activation limit”
- In Creative Cloud Desktop, go to Profile > Sign out on other devices.
- If you can’t access the old device, use “Sign out of all devices” in your Adobe account portal (may require IT assistance).
- Creative Cloud Desktop won’t open or install
- Reboot, update OS, and retry.
- On managed devices, install via Software Center/Self Service.
- Temporarily disable antivirus (if permitted by policy) or contact IT to whitelist the installer.
- Acrobat says “Subscription expired”
- Ensure Acrobat Pro is installed (not Reader only).
- Sign out/in via SSO. If unresolved, request license recheck by IT.
- Generative AI features missing or limited
- Enterprise plans may have allocated credits or policy restrictions.
- Check the portal article “Adobe Firefly/Generative Credits” or open a ticket.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
- Can I use a personal Adobe ID?
- No. Use only your company-issued SSO account for licensing and compliance.
- Can I use Adobe CC on two devices?
- Yes, you can activate on multiple devices but use only one at a time. If you hit the limit, sign out of an older device.
- Do we support plug‑ins, fonts, and stock?
- Some plug-ins and Adobe Fonts are allowed; Adobe Stock usage may require separate approval or credits. Check the brand/licensing policy or ask IT.
- Is home use allowed?
- If you work remotely on a company device, yes. Personal devices may be allowed if compliant with security policy (MDM/antivirus); check with IT.
- How long does it take to get a license?
- Usually 1–3 business days after approval. Urgent requests should note the deadline in the ticket.
- What if I only need Acrobat Pro?
- Request the Acrobat Pro license type instead of All Apps.
Security and compliance
- Follow company data handling standards. Do not store client-sensitive data in unapproved locations.
- Remove licenses before offboarding or role change. Managers must notify IT to reclaim licenses promptly.
Contacts and support
- License/request issues: IT Service Desk (submit via portal)
- Urgent escalations: Your manager + IT queue reference number
- Brand usage questions: Brand/Marketing team
- Accessibility guidance for PDFs: Accessibility/Compliance team
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