Software localization (often simply called “localization”) is a means of adapting computer software to different languages and regional differences. Specifically, localization is the process of adapting software for a specific region or language by adding locale-specific components and translating text.
In contrast, internationalization is the process of designing a software application so that it can be adapted to various languages and regions without engineering changes. Some companies, such as Microsoft and IBM, use the term globalization for the combination of internationalization and localization.
Localization is a Key Element in Reaching International Markets and Increasing Profits:
In a commercial setting, the benefit from localization is access to more markets. Some argue that the commercial case to localize products into multiple languages is obvious, and that all is needed is a budgetary commitment from the producer to finance the costs involved. It costs more to produce products for international markets, but in an increasingly global economy, supporting only one language or market is scarcely an option. This is particularly important when global markets are growing at a rate faster then that of domestic US markets. Companies are counting on new revenue streams from these important emerging markets.
Technology Solutions Help Our Clients Do The Following:
Speed up time-to-market launches
Significantly reduce localization costs
Improve the quality of global content
Ensure consistency in desired branding, look, style, and feel
Offer greater internal control and enhance content consistently for regulatory and compliance matters
Ensure the security of both source and translated content
Communicate seamlessly with international markets and their target audiences
American Languages Services prides itself on utilizing the most qualified and experienced translation specialists along with state-of-the-art industry-leading technology products that facilitate the entire scope of the translation process involved in large scale international software development. We have access to applications that are the most advanced and flexible in the industry.
Our products are fully vendor neutral, thus allowing our clients to share content repositories with AML-Global or any other chosen providers. We have software products that can facilitate localization in virtually all major CMS and database environments.
Best Practice Methods for Software Localization are Essential for Effective Translation of Computer Software:
American Language Services secures and maintains a detailed glossary list for companies and for their specific projects. An alphabetical list of words and their meanings or approved translations (glosses) in their various contexts are utilized on future projects to ensure consistency. This applies to standard and technical translations as well as for web site and localization. The prevailing best practice process is for applications to place text in resource strings which are loaded during program execution as needed. These strings, stored in resource files, are relatively easy to translate. To get an application to support multiple languages one needs to design the application to select the relevant language resource file at runtime. Resource files are then translated into the required languages. This method tends to be application-specific and also vendor-specific. The code required to manage date entry verification and many other locale-sensitive data types also must support differing locale requirements.
Modern development systems and operating systems include sophisticated libraries for international support of these types. American Languages Services possesses the technical know-how to handle all common and many less common file formats required for translation and localization work in all platforms.
Technical Expertise in Software Localization is Vital to Effective and Compatible International Functionality:
Software localization takes a high degree of technical as well as desktop publishing expertise. American Language Services works in virtually all software available on the market as well as all platforms. AML-Global also continually upgrades to new software as the software market changes and products revised or new products are added in the market. AML-Global has the direct experience and expertise to handle such technical elements as markup languages: HTML and XML; localization tools: Borland Resource, Apple ResEdit, MS Visual Studio, and Adobe RoboHelp; translation memory tools: SDL Trados, Corel Catalyst, and Deja Vu; specialized file formats: GIF, JPEG, PDF, Java, JavaScript, VB, SVG and Flash;website authoring tools: Dreamweaver and Front Page; multimedia tools: Shockwave, 3D Studio MAX, Alias and Direct X; and DTP tools: Adobe Acrobat, CorelDRAW, Adobe FrameMaker, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe PageMaker, Adobe Photoshop, Quark XPress and Lotus SmartSuite.
We provide a high level of technical support through or on site technicians. AML-Global has many years of direct experience which allows us to offer a high level of project management for effective communications, general planning, overall coordination and technology expertise. Our finest technology solutions for language services are only a web click or a phone call away. Call for a free quote at 1-800-951-5020
