While PDF is usually front-and-center when it comes to useful, accessible file formats, PDF/A often gets left in the dust. However, this PDF/A is no sidekick to PDF, but a true superhero on its own with an army to boot.
Many don’t realize that PDF/A is actually an umbrella file type. In fact, there are several variations PDF/A: 1, 2 and 3. In addition to each variation, there are also conformance levels a, b and u. Now that’s an archiving army if I’ve ever seen one! Keep in mind though, PDF/A-1 isn’t any better than PDF/A-3 or vice versa. Each variation of PDF/A has specific characteristics and restrictions, and industries should choose whichever one fits their needs – not whichever one is newest.
Developed by the International Standards Organization (ISO), PDF/A is an approved standard for capturing, recording, sharing, and archiving documents. It’s widely supported by the international community as a standard file format for archiving business-critical documents.
There is a growing need for having an archiving standard, no matter which industry you may be in. Organizations in all verticals are required to meet government regulations and comply with industry standards when it comes to housing their content. With PDF/A, they can be assured that their documents are available in a consolidated and consistent format for future use, whether that’s 10 or 100 years from now.