GlobalVision International Augments its Top-Down Localization Process

Hudson, MA, August 16, 1999 – GlobalVision International, Inc. has augmented the depth of its Top-Down localization process with sizable investments in Trados Translation Workbench, CatalystTM , HelpQA, WebWorks® Publisher, and VB Language Manager products, coupled with many months of internal development efforts to bridge the tools to form a complete and coherent localization solution.

The newly updated process leverages the latest off-the-shelf tools and integrates them to form a comprehensive methodology to deal with alignment, leveraging, translation reuse, glossary creation and management, while maintaining consistency and boosting efficiency. "We have integrated the best-of-breed tools in Translation Memory, resource file parsers, WYSIWYG dialog editors, glossary management, search engines, converters, processors and HTML generators, to create a complete yet non-proprietary localization solution for software applications and internet pages", said Nabil Freij, President of GlobalVision International. "Our customers benefit from our readily available process and our technical know-how, gaining tremendous efficiency by leveraging both the process and the localization work that we do for them."

Proprietary vs. Standard tools and formats
While some companies invest millions of dollars to develop expensive and inefficient proprietary tools to deal with dedicated localization tasks, GlobalVision International invests in standard tools and the methodology. "Unlike other companies, we never lock our customers into proprietary or obsolete databases to build competitive barriers", added Nabil Freij. "We focus on their needs and rely on our technical edge and processes to deliver on our project promises, on time and on budget." Internal development was necessary to bridge all the tools together, since tool vendors, often also competitors, tend not to work together on resolving integration issues. The file and database formats remain the same as the standard tools supported in the process and easily acquired by any company.

Top-down vs. Bottom-up
"Since most content on Web pages and software applications undergo regular updates (including Graphical User Interfaces and documentation, online or hardcopy), most software and internet localization projects will have to deal with previously translated text and use it throughout the update process", said John Cargile, Managing Editor of Software Developer and Publisher magazine. "Unlike the bottom-up process, which is based on the use of old translated files and updating them to match the new English files, the top-down localization process, implemented by GlobalVision International, relies exclusively on the new English files and translation databases of previously translated text. This insures complete and correct end-target files while eliminating human errors-- inevitable in the use of the bottom-up process". For more information on the new top-down localization process, refer to the GlobalVision International homepage at www.globalvis.com, or the write-ups that the company published in Software Developer and Publisher Sep-Oct 97 and Sep 99 issues on globalization.

Process and people
"Having a process in place is only part of the puzzle. Having their staff equipped with the tools and trained to effectively put it to use is the other part", explained Ron Belcher, VP of Engineering Operations at SolidWorks Corporation. "The process is useless without the people who use it and being able to deliver in eight languages using the same methodology and tools is an achievement that we regard as exceptional in this industry." To capitalize on this new process efficiencies, GlobalVision International has outfitted its employees, partners and freelancers with the necessary ingredients of this process, making delivery of projects seamless to its customers. At the end of a project, regardless of the language, the customer will get all the necessary localized files in their proper formats with their databases and all supporting files to enable future internal or outsourced updates. GlobalVision International regards the translation databases as intellectual property owned by the customer, even when they are completely created by its staff.

"Organic" Process
Like the software and internet industries, the localization process is dynamic and ever changing. GlobalVision International will continue to expand its process as needed relying on industry standards and best-of-breed tools. "As new file formats or standards emerge, our engineers will quickly work on updating the process to support them", said Nabil Freij. "In this dynamic world, a process needs to be organic to grow and change as customer needs shift and change. The speed at which a process is adapted is key to shrink project schedules, leading to timely international product releases."


About GlobalVision International
GlobalVision International, Inc. specializes in software and internet localization services including graphical user interfaces, online help, manuals, press releases, internet pages and more. With its current offices in the US, Japan, Europe and the Middle East, the company can effectively handle not only Roman-based languages but also other key languages with double-byte or bi-directional requirements. Its three overseas production centers and a vast network of localization partners and professionals give GlobalVision International abundant access to resources worldwide. Couple that with a localization process based on the latest software and communication tools and you have the ultimate means to fulfill your toughest localization requirements, while keeping expenses in check. For more information, visit the company's multilingual home page at http://www.globalvis.com.