PDFs were revolutionary when they were first developed in the early 90s. Finally, a document file type that would look the exact same no matter what operating system, software or hardware you were using. Working on a Gateway 2000 or an Apple Lisa? The document was identical. What a breakthrough!    And without fail, we immediately wanted to be able to edit PDF documents.        

Sometimes we wanted to edit information in the actual document and didn’t have the original. Or we wanted to split a PDF into two separate PDFs, extract data from one PDF to place in another, or all of the above and merge into a brand-new document.   

That’s when PDF editing software was born.   

PDF editors come in many variations. You can edit pdfs online through free versions, best for one-off document needs, or companies may offer a SaaS product for relatively simple changes. There are options with packaging platforms such as Docker, NuGet and Maven for software developers.   

But what if you need a PDF editor for enterprise-sized projects? When hundreds or even millions of documents need to be created, edited or manipulated in some way?   

Now we are jumping into PDF SDK Libraries, created specifically for software developers working on complex applications that require more elaborate workflows.  

Let’s get started – can you feel the excitement? 
   
First – What the heck is an SDK?    

Think of Software Development Kits (SDKs) as meal delivery kits – they come with all the ingredients you need to make a nice meal, but in this case, the developer uses the kits to create specific applications. The benefits are that developers do not have to write code or build things from scratch, meaning complex projects are completed faster and more efficiently.    

SDKs will include “libraries” or pre-written collections of code for speeding up the development process, APIs, reference documentation and sample code, among other resources a developer may need. Developers pick and choose which code to use to create their needed application or process.    

A PDF SDK is a document editor that lets you create, manipulate, convert and manage all types of PDF files.  

How does a PDF SDK make developing easier?   

In an episode of Barefoot Contessa, Ina Garten tells a story about how she wanted to have three different types of barbeque sauce at her store – mustardy, tomato-y and Asian-inspired. Each one was fine on its own but didn’t quite get the job done for her ribs. So, she combined them into one fantastic sauce she uses all the time.     

PDF SDKs are similar.  

Because they are a combination of a bunch of different functionalities and features for manipulating PDF files, they include pre-written code that can be combined to create the exact process and workflow developers need for their applications. Additionally, SDKs often come in different versions based on platforms and programming languages a developer uses, making integrations seamless.   

For example, banks going paperless may still want to provide the option for customers to see a monthly statement. These statements will include the bank’s info, the customer’s info, lists of transactions with dates, and so on. But the bank isn’t going to create individual statements for each person each month.    

Instead, these statements appear after an application pulls all of the customer’s information from various databases into one final PDF that can be viewed online and printed at the customer’s discretion. This is where PDF software shines – making that process invisible to the customer. They only see the final version, not the work PDF software in the background.     

Internal Processes/External Products 

Leveraging PDF SDKs for Streamlined Workflows  PDF SDKs can play a pivotal role in workflows within organizations. Automating document generation, extracting vital information from PDFs, merging or splitting documents for specific reporting needs, or providing collaborating tools such as commenting or annotations, SDKs can provide companies with a large array of capabilities to optimize their internal processes. By integrating PDF SDKs into their existing systems, they reduce manual tasks and increase productivity. 

Creating SaaS Applications & B2B Software  

For many software companies, integrating document processing features can be an important element to their own software products. Using a PDF SDK allows them to embed PDF functionality directly into their own applications without having to develop processes from scratch. Licensing and pricing are based on OEM, SaaS, end-users and types of use. Be sure to clarify when researching PDF SDK options.  

What are the Benefits of a PDF SDK? 

Bottom line? It's about time and money. But mostly money, let's be honest.     

Using a PDF SDK shortens development time and increases productivity because it lets developers focus on the essential elements of the applications – which, in turn, results in higher quality output. Instead of spending time researching ways to create workflows, companies can focus on their own core competencies.  Companies also require fewer resources on projects, because the elements of a PDF SDK were designed to work together seamlessly. This reduces the amount of testing and rework during a project and helps limit downtime on the part of an end-user. Which leads us to getting to market faster – we told you it was about the money. And it’s not just about products being sold to customers, it could also be enhancing the customer experience – like the bank example above.    

Why Not Just Use an Open-Source PDF SDK? 

Look, we’re engineers. We love open-source software when it makes sense. And it might work for your PDF project.  Or not.    

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of using open-source PDF SDKs

Pros: Free!

Cons: 

• You get what you pay for!  Sometimes open-source cannot scale the way you need it to – just be aware of the pitfalls.  
• Usually just basic functions offered. Limited capabilities for editing PDFs and developing PDF workflows.  
• Relies on developer community for updates, bug fixes and advances, often done on their own time. 
• No technical support, limited documentation, no one entity responsible for customer support when needed.  
   

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of using enterprise PDF SDKs 

Pros:

• Offer flexible pricing options based on usage: internal, end-user, OEM or SaaS.A license agreement purchase is necessary, but someone has to feed the engineers. 
• Offer advanced tools for creating, editing, modifying, converting, extracting, printing and securing PDF documents.  
• You get everything with this version! Software engineers & support teams are constantly working with customers, updating features and offering support on projects non-stop.

Cons:

• You may have to talk to a human.  

Look Before You Leap: What to Consider When Choosing a PDF SDK 

Now you know why PDF SDKs are used – but how do you find the best PDF editor for your project? Research and test the software.   

Here are some things to consider:   

• Reliable & Stable Code: SDKs are packaged to work together cohesively, so both the developer and user’s experience are consistent, and you want to make sure the code is from a reliable source that will play nice with all Adobe Acrobat/PDF-related products   
• Documentation & Support: SDKs come with get started guides, sample code, other helpful resources – and good ones come with the option to reach out to humans to help you develop your proof of concept even during trial periods (mentioning for a friend).   
• Functionality: Gives developers a myriad (we said it) of options to choose from in how they want to develop their applications.   
• Compatibility: Developers can choose SDKs based on the platform and programming languages they prefer and are currently using, including package manager such as NuGet and Maven.   
• Updates: How well is the PDF SDK maintained and does the company communicate updates with you consistently?   
• Free Trials: Duh. A reputable company will want you to test the hell out of their PDF SDK to make sure it performs the way you need it to before buying it.   
• Company History with PDFs: Okay, this one is a bit self-serving, but we’ve worked with PDFs almost as long as they’ve existed, there’s not much we haven’t seen. We’re an Adobe Channel Partner and have been for years. No other PDF SDK company has the experience and expertise we have. I mean, we actually have second generation Datalogics engineers working for us. That’s dedication and expertise that our competitors don't have.