Endpoint Services, Adobe Creative Cloud 2021, 2020, and 2019
Endpoint Services-specific information about Adobe CC 2021, 2020, and 2019
Systems
Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (MECM), formerly SCCM
Munki Mac Endpoint Management
Affected Customers
University of Illinois IT Pros leveraging Technology Services Endpoint Service Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (MECM), formerly SCCM and/or Munki Mac Endpoint Management systems.
Actions
- General Information
- Named User Licenses
- Shared Device Licenses
- Acrobat Pro
- EPS Packages
- Installation with Previous Versions
- Getting Help
General Information
In late 2020, Adobe released Creative Cloud 2021, which continued the support for Named User and Shared Device licenses that began with Creative Cloud 2019. The EPS MECM and Munki services both offer Named User and Shared Device versions of Creative Cloud applications. If you have not already done so, please read the UofI Webstore's KB article detailing Creative Cloud licensing and activation. This supplemental article relates specifically to EPS packages and deployment.
The campus device license for pre-2019 Adobe CC apps expired on February 5, 2020; units must update their deployments to 2021, 2020, or 2019 versions if they have not already.
Named User Licenses
Named User (NU or NUL) licensing should be used on University-owned laptops or other devices that may be used off-campus. This license model require that users log in with their Enterprise ID, with each logged-in endpoint contributing to that user’s two available activations. Logging out of an application or the accompanying Creative Cloud Desktop app will recover an activation. An Adobe Enterprise ID must be requested by faculty and staff by ordering this free WebStore offer.
Shared Device Licenses
Shared Device (SDL) licensing is intended for any University-owned devices that are only used on the campus network, including labs, classrooms, and faculty, staff, and student employee workstations. All students are automatically assigned a free Adobe license that allows them access to the Adobe Platform of software on endpoints with this licensing type. Users will also be required to log in, but each login will not contribute to a user’s total number of activations. Endpoints must be on the campus network in order to use SDL-licensed Adobe applications. Note that the Adobe Sign-in window for this license model will indicate that the computer is a shared device.
Acrobat Pro DC
Acrobat Pro DC has also moved to the new licensing model. For MECM stakeholders, future releases will be under “\Software Library\Overview\Application Management\Applications\MANAGED APPLICATIONS\Adobe\Acrobat DC\*”. Munki stakeholders should use either adobe_acrobat_dc_nul or adobe_acrobat_dc_sdl.
EPS Packages
Due to the login requirements, all MECM and Munki-provided Creative Cloud 2021, 2020, and 2019 packages include the Creative Cloud Desktop Application. In addition, in keeping with previous releases, all MECM and Munki-provided versions have updates disabled.
- For MECM stakeholders, please continue to use the Adobe Remote Update Manager package, under “\Software Library\Overview\Application Management\Packages”, to manage updates.
- Munki stakeholders will continue to receive updates per the established testing and release schedule. For convenience, we offer the following Munki manifests that can be incorporated into your unit's manifest structure, or you may choose to create your own. If you are unsure about how to use these manifests, please contact the EPS team.
- UofI_licensed_adobe_2021_nul_managed_installs
- UofI_licensed_adobe_2021_nul_optional_installs
- UofI_licensed_adobe_2021_sdl_managed_installs
- UofI_licensed_adobe_2021_sdl_optional_installs
- UofI_licensed_adobe_cc2020_nul_managed_installs
- UofI_licensed_adobe_cc2020_nul_optional_installs
- UofI_licensed_adobe_cc2020_sdl_managed_installs
- UofI_licensed_adobe_cc2020_sdl_optional_installs
- UofI_licensed_adobe_cc2019_nul_managed_installs
- UofI_licensed_adobe_cc2019_nul_optional_installs
Installation with Previous Versions
Installation of EPS-provided Creative Cloud packages will generally behave as expected in terms of interactions with previous versions, with a handful of exceptions for the Munki service.
- MECM-provided packages will continue to replace previous versions as in the past.
- Munki-provided packages will allow side-by-side installations with previous versions with the exception of Acrobat DC, Dimension, Lightroom, Lightroom Classic, Premiere Rush, and XD, which will all overwrite previous versions.
Getting Help
For MECM- or Munki-related questions, contact the EPS team; for questions about the Adobe changes, email webstore@illinois.edu.