Software Localization
Software Localization
Magic of Word provides a comprehensive, complete lifecycle solution to globalize software – which means making your product accessible, optimized, and fully tested in multiple languages. Our services include strategic consultation, creation of your software glossary, translating and localizing it, editing and proofing for correctness and screen fit, and additional round of QA and functional testing. Our thorough and exacting process makes sure that your software -- standalone components as well as embedded modules -- is accurate linguistically, correct in terms of measurement and currency values, and sensitive to the cultural and social norms of each of your target markets. Our full battery of testing services assures functional and visual optimization.
What is Software Localization?
Software localization involves independent workflows for adaptation of the user-interface, technical documentation and help files. However, these distinct processes must be orchestrated and coordinated to ensure a harmonious and efficient workflow, which translates, literally, into cost savings, quicker time-to-market, and optimal consistency among all local versions of your global product. Magic of Word’ thorough and exacting localization process ensures that your software -- standalone components as well as embedded modules -- is accurate linguistically, correct in terms of measurement and currency values, and sensitive to the cultural and social norms of each of your target markets. Our full battery of testing services assures functional and visual optimization.
The Software Localization Process
Magic of Word applies best practices of the software industry and the latest technological tools to expedite and automate the process, while retaining human expertise and project management skills throughout. From the initial extraction of elements that must be localized to the final testing of the software across multiple language versions, you can rest assured that the result will be a comprehensive, consistent and thoroughly tested global product of excellence. Following are the key steps that comprise software localization and the creation of a globally sound software product.
- Glossary Creation
The creation of a Glossary is a fundamental step in the process of localizing software. This cornerstone translation resource is created by identifying and cataloguing identical and similar text strings to provide a common reference which save time and money by allowing reuse of this glossary in current and future translation projects and processes.
- Translation and Editing
Each of the Glossary items must be translating, usually by a combination of automated and human resources. The process usually involves independent rounds of editing and proofreading to ensure that each text string is linguistically correct, accurately descriptive, technically exact, and culturally appropriate
- UI Adaptation
Applying and adapting the text strings to the user interface is a complex and painstaking processes. The UI adapters must combine skills in interface design, understanding of the software and expert translation skills. This process involves several iterative rounds to produce an optimal result.
- QA Testing
Best practices and expert resources in the previous steps do not obviate the need for extensive quality assurance processes and testing. Automated processes systematically test every variable and permutation of the software, with a special emphasis on the linguistic elements that have been added to this local edition.
- Project Delivery
Delivery of each new language version as part of a multilingual release involves additional rounds of “soft” alpha and beta testing before a hard product launch. Magic of Word remains an integral part of the process, ensuring that the project is delivered on time and under budget but also performing fixes and adaptations after delivery.