With PDF documents so common these days, it’s almost hard to remember that the technology used to be exclusive to Adobe, the company who created it in the first place. Over the weekend, we got a reminder with news that the company is acquiring the leader in electronic signature providers to integrate into Acrobat.

EchoSign announced that the company is being acquired by Adobe and will now be part of the Acrobat software family. Announced on Sunday in a joint press release signed by EchoSign CEO Jason Lemkin and Adobe Acrobat Vice-President and General Manager Kevin M. Lynch, the acquisition promises to further increase the capabilities of the Acrobat document software.

“Together, our aim is to make electronic signatures the standard way for people to sign documents and automate contracting,” the announcement reads. “Adobe's PDF solutions and document exchange services platform have helped organizations turn inefficient, paper-based workflows -- like overnight envelopes -- into streamlined electronic ones.

“The EchoSign solution will be integrated with Adobe’s other document services including SendNow for managed file transfer, FormsCentral for form creation and CreatePDF for online PDF creation,” the press release continues. “With Adobe as your partner, you can look forward to ongoing innovation in electronic signatures and web-based contracts.We thank you for using the EchoSign service and sincerely appreciate your business. Together, we are excited to help shape the future of web-based contracting across businesses around the world.”

Adobe Acrobat VP Lynch adds, “With Adobe as your partner, you can look forward to ongoing innovation in electronic signatures and web-based contracting.”

According to AllThingsD, electronic signature startup EchoSign has three million users and Adobe’s acquisition is viewed “as part of a push toward a paperless workflow.” A purchase price was not disclosed.

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