• Definitions
• Globalization is Your Key to International Success
• Globalization Issues
• The Localization Process

Definitions:

• Globalization is the process of making a product multi-lingual. All language-related aspects of the program are separated from the code, and all aspects which vary with target country are handled in a country-independent way.
• Localization is the process of adapting a global product for a particular language and country. Localization includes translations and other conversion, and takes into account local practices and culture, providing a product which is comfortable to use in the target country.
• translation is involved in most aspects of localization. Accuracy and appropriateness of translation are key to overall product quality.
• Retrofitting is an informal term for localizating a product which was not designed to be global. It is the first step taken by most companies entering the global marketplace.

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Globalization is Your Key to International Success

• Globalize your product for the world
• Localize it for a specific country

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Globalization Issues

• High-volume consumer products require extensive localization, and their volumes justify the cost.
• Low volume technical products can often be sold with less complete localization, because much of the documentation is for reference only, and the users are comfortable with English text.

Ficorp, Inc. can help with the cost benefit analysis for your product/language matrix.

Some of the issues to be considered are:

• Screen Prompts
• User Responses
• Help Files
• Error Messages
• User Manuals
• Keyboard Compatibility
• Setup Files
• Initialization Files
• "ReadMe" Files
• Technical Manuals
  

Other items requiring localization, with examples:

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The Localization Process

Ficorp, Inc. works with clients to make the localization process a success. The steps are:

• Define aspects of your software which could be localized, and suggest localization strategies based on your expected sales.
• Create a product schedule for the localization process, including benchmarks and dates.
• Provide professional native translators who have recently lived in target countries.
• Work closely with translators to solve difficulties as they arise, and to maintain consistency.
• Consult with your design team on factors which ease the localization process.
• Help define a truly global product which does not need to change from language to language.
• Prove target language testing.