What are software localization services?
The Localization Industry Standards Association (LISA) defines
localization services as "the process of modifying products or services to account for differences in distinct markets". Software localization is thus much more than translating user interfaces from one language to another. It is about adapting all cultural content and technical issues to a specific audience in a given location.
Localization means ensuring that your software "speaks" the
language of your customers. In a world of globalization,
localization can make the difference between success and
failure in your target markets. However, as the business
environment becomes increasingly competitive, the challenge
of adapting software, documentation,
online help, web
pages and manuals to
conform to the cultural, linguistic and regulatory needs
of each customer becomes formidable. Localization has effectively
become the cost of doing business in the global market.
Internationalization is
the process of translating software UI (user interfaces)
from one language to another and altering it to suit foreign
clients and their cultural norms. This is not just about
translating languages, but adapting from one culture to
another.
Globalization makes your software ready for the global
market. Localization includes the program itself and any
online or printed documentation. As the competition among
the many software developers increases, software companies
are increasingly challenged to localize their software,
documents, web pages, and manuals to each customer's different
cultural and language needs. In addition, there are increasing
regulatory, cultural and compliance pressures that companies
need to deal with and a well-executed globalization process
can aid in opening new markets and retaining current clients.
Localization is not limited to translating English into other languages (as most software continues to be developed in the U.S.) but also includes every language from French, Spanish, Hebrew, Chinese, Arabic, etc.
Benefits both developers and customers alike
In five years, the number of non-English speaking Internet
users has gone from less than 10% to nearly 64% of all users.
Similarly, user trends are comparable. More and more non-English
speaking users are using localized software. (Nielsen/Net ratings
Internet measurement service)
Users of computer software expect their software to be written in their own language. Although localization services come at a cost to software developers, it also yields concrete benefits: Users who understand a product fully are more skilled in managing it, more efficient in using it and less likely to make costly mistakes. These are all issues that affect the bottom line. The more skilled and efficient the users, the lower the burden on customer support and services.
Localization allows users to interact with applications in their own language and in a setting that is intuitive to them.
For example:
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Messages are in the user's own language |
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Input fields are formatted as is
customary in the specific country (names, addresses,
dates, and other data) |
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Keyboard character standards when input is required |
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Error messages in the local language ensure quick resolution |
Competition in the software industry is fierce with many
quality products vying for the same market. Differentiation
today is not about bells and whistles, but about who best
meets the needs of the customer. Translation is the key to
strategic, competitive advantage.
Net-Translators related services:
Localization of software products is a highly complex process.
Our localization team has years of successful experience in
this field in a wide variety of product platforms and scales.
We specialize in:
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User interface localization - including string table translation,
interface adaptation (mirroring, enabling, resizing), resource
compilation and functional testing. |
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User assistance localization - online help translation
and adaptation, help compilation (RTF or HTML based). |
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Software product testing - proofreading, cross-platform
functional testing, BiDi functionality testing. |
Whatever your localization needs, Net-Translators has a cost-effective
solution that delivers bottom line results!
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