Browsers will stop using Flash. What will this mean for the Flash files in Articulate modules??

I believe your contractors are using tech gobbledygook and turning a molehill into a mountain. Why they would do that, I don't know. Let's go through these one by one:

Flash files will not convert seamlessly into Drupal

What does this mean, exactly? Flash files are files, Drupal is a content management system. Flash file are embedded in web pages. Drupal creates these pages. Are they saying that Drupal pages don't support file embeds? That Drupal is being used a file storage system that doesn't support SWF files? I mean, there are pretty clear instructions on how to do this here: https://www.drupalgardens.com/content/xml-flash#comment-46962. And if that doesn't work, what's to prevent them from creating a link that launches a new window to your Storyline HTML file? I'm not a Drupal expert but I am somehow certain that it's possible.

I would ask for more clarification because this assertion makes no sense and reeks of tech bafflegab.

Flash has security weaknesses

I have no arguments here. Flash is a security risk and greater risk than other technologies. But no web technology is secure. Do you allow javascript to run on your pages? You may want to read this: Javascript security risks?

But most Flash issues are related to attackers developing Flash banner ads that exploit Flash security weaknesses to go after users. Are you doctoring your Storyline swf files to contain a malicious payload that you will use to attack your users? Are you allowing hacker access to your servers (not Drupal) where they could download the SWF, reverse engineer it, add malware, and re-upload it? If yes, you need to take a serious look at your server security.

In other words: while Flash is a security risk, it's a risk primarily because people are developing malicious Flash apps and banners which, I hope, you are not.

For a proper rundown of how Flash apps and banners are abused by hackers, read this (about halfway down under "Here’s how cyber criminals use vulnerabilities in Flash or other software to penetrate your system"): Adobe Flash vulnerabilities – a never-ending string of security risks

Browsers will stop supporting Flash content by the end of the year

This is a very bold thing to do. Too bad they aren't doing it. What they are doing is making it more difficult to run Flash automatically in the browser. They are also making it more difficult for users to install Flash in the first place. What they are most definitely not doing is completely blocking Flash content or refusing to run Flash content.

This is not to say that Flash isn't slowly becoming obsolete. It most certainly is. But this is not an "all the lights go off on December 31 at midnight" situation.

Ad Age has a good rundown on what's actually going on: Flash Will Soon Be Obsolete: It's Time for Agencies to Adapt

Now, on to your specific questions.

What will happen to your Flash files?

Nothing. Unless your agency is working with people of questionable abilities they should easily be able to embed your Flash output in the required web pages. Or link to a pop-up with your Flash output.

Will Articulate be providing a workaround?

I don't presume to speak for Articulate but they already have an HTML5 option that does not require Flash.

Are any of us facing a similar situation?

We are all in the same boat. Flash is becoming obsolete. We need to develop plans to move away from it.

But scrambling to meet a September 1 deadline based on what seems to be misinformation? I don't think too many of us are dealing with that.

Of course, I could be the one completely out to lunch here so your contractor is free to dispute the above. But do ask for rebuttals to the facts that are out there.

Agree with Steve here

Hi Paul,

All great questions and I think Steve hit the nail on the head for just about all of it! I wanted to share the current stance and ongoings connected directly to Articulate - and we've shared that recently here (from me) and here from our director of Product Operations, Brian Gil. 

Hopefully those clarify some of the elements that Steve couldn't touch upon, and please let us know if you have any other questions or concerns about this. We're unable to share information in regards to product release dates or when/what particular features will be released but once we have additional information to share we'll be sure to do so. 

Thanks for the insight, everyone.  It sounds like, as Steve said, our contractor is making a molehill into a mountain.  The ironic thing is, he used to be a Flash developer.

We'll keep looking into what we need to do and I'm hoping that this issue is not as big of an obstacle as it's being made out to be.  We'll see what happens on September 1, I guess.  And Articulate, please keep us updated on what you're doing in regards to moving away from Flash.