Localization: Streamlining Communications Across Continents

Many of today's enterprises are no longer isolated to one corner of the globe-enterprises today span continents. With organizations sharing knowledge and information across these global enterprises, it is important to effectively translate all aspects of the software to ensure that communication is harmonized throughout the organization. Localization technology makes this possible.

Effective localization involves much more than just language translation. Localization should adapt to all aspects of the software both in local phrasing and in cultural nuances, to enable systems to better adapt to a specific locale. Localization should involve the translation of a system's calendars, to update holiday differences; dates; time format, whether 24 hour format or AM/PM; and design, even down to colors - colors that are acceptable in one country may have negative connotations in another. Workflow and phase names, field help, keyword options, and system dialogues must also be translated. Translation at this level of detail contributes to ease of use, which ultimately contributes to user acceptance of software applications developed in other countries.

In order for a system to be properly localized, it needs to be translated completely. This paper will illustrate what to look for in localization technology and what to avoid.