Translation/Localization is one of the critical components of the overall user experience. It should be considered indispensable to the core business of a global company for a variety of reasons:
The transmittal of up-to-date, clear, meaningful, easily understood messages and in the native language is one of the key elements of success. The availability of multi-lingual marketing, technical and legal information is often perceived as a barometer of a company's commitment to the international audience. It is an important factor in purchasing decision making in today's global, dynamic and highly competitive market place.
Localized software is no longer a luxury but an absolute necessity and a winning differentiator, especially in highly competitive situations. Help screens, online prompts, pull down menus and pervasive device displays mandate availability in the native/local language.
To fully exploit the ubiquitous reach of the web and opportunities offered by it, the multilingual audience must be able to read and review information about a company and its services as well as conduct e-commerce in their native language.
Translation is not a single, discrete step, but a process. The optimization of this process requires a well thought out strategy that takes full advantage of automation based on state of the art tools, technology and related processes as well trained and experienced people. In addition, there are a number of steps that can be taken to increase the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the process. For optimal results, translation should not be treated as a 'bolt on', but an integral part of the overall product development and 'go to market' plan. This is one of the necessary and sufficient conditions for a global company to move its business forward in all the competing markets. The sooner a company recognizes this reality, the better it is.
Saroj Vohra
National Language Support Executive
IBM Corporation | 
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