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Subscribe Us Frequently Asked Question
Onboarding a software development company is similar to onboarding new staff. The general steps are:
- Introduce your company;
- Introduce the in-house staff relevant to the project;
- Explain your policies, procedures, and company culture;
- Explain your project, including the short-term and long-term goals;
- Explain any prior issues or anticipated future problems;
- Present the tools and software you use;
- Provide the necessary technical documentation (codes, accesses, databases, development notes, etc.);
- Clearly define the channels of communication you will be using.
Choosing a software development company heavily depends on the needs of your project, the deadlines, and the budget. Here are the basic steps for selecting a company:
- Define the scope and requirements of your project;
- Look at the ratings and reviews of software companies;
- Read their portfolios;
- Look at employees' profiles;
- Define a company’s areas of expertise;
- Learn about their previous clients;
- Find out what project management methodology the company uses;
- Learn about the tech the company utilizes for development;
- Get their location;
- Find out about their rates and payment models.
Outsourcing software development has the following primary benefits:
- Lower costs;
- Access to a larger pool of skilled developers;
- Speedy execution of software projects.
If you hire a bad software development company, you risk:
- Getting an unfinished/non-functional product;
- Delays and not having the product launched on time;
- Software with a lot of bugs.
Hiring bad software companies can lead to directly losing money because of deficient software, needing to invest more funds to hire other developers to fix/create a new product, and losing potential customers because of delays to the product.
Based on the relationship the client company and the outsourcing partner will have, there are 3 relationship-based outsourcing models:
- Staff augmentation - when the client company leases developers from the outsourcing partner for in-house projects to fill a skill gap in their internal team.
- Dedicated teams - when a client company hires a dedicated team from the outsourcing partner for a defined scope of work. The dedicated team may or may not work with the in-house team. The dedicated team reports to someone in a managerial position from the client company.
- Project-based - when a client company hires an outsourcing partner to complete an entire project, with the responsibility for the completion of the project resting on the outsourcing partner. The outsourcing partner forms the team(s), does the planning, and is responsible for all project management responsibilities.
Software development companies are businesses that design, develop, build, and maintain applications, frameworks, and other software technology.
What is Software Localization?
Software localization is the process that involves translating text, adjusting page layout and design elements, adapting applications to different languages, and more. Hiring the right software localization provider can be complicated, with many things to consider.
Experts from TechNavio predict that the language service market will increase by $20.8B in the next five years, highlighting software localization's rising significance for businesses.
With software becoming an integral part of day-to-day life, agile localization has become necessary for businesses that want to expand their reach and tap into new markets. Most software products are developed in English or other major languages and must use software translation for different language markets.
Let's Start With Software Internalization
Internationalization makes software applications compatible with different languages, cultures, and regions. This involves designing the application to be easily localized for other language markets. It includes tasks such as separating content from code and creating a flexible user interface.
Software localization is the actual translation process of the software into other languages. It also involves adapting the user interface from the source language, adjusting page layout and design elements, and more.
Why is Software Localization Important?
Software localization is crucial because it allows businesses to tap into new markets and expand their reach. It also helps them gain a competitive edge in the global market.
Product managers strive to optimize the user experience (CX) by providing localized content. Localization helps foster customer trust and loyalty by giving them access to content tailored specifically to their language and culture.
A recent survey found that despite its accuracy issues, 65% of consumers prefer viewing product and service content in their native language, while around 70% depending on online machine translation for product reviews.
Good quality translation is vital for customers to purchase a product or service in their language, making software localization essential for businesses hoping to increase their reach and expand into new markets.
How to Choose the Right Software Localization Company?
When selecting a software localization company, there are several factors to consider. Here are some tips to help you choose the right provider:
Identify Your Needs and Goals
Before looking for a software localization provider, it's essential to identify your needs and goals.
For example, consider device compatibility and user experience factors if you're localizing a mobile app. Determining the scope of the project and your desired outcomes will help you narrow down your search.
Research and Compare Providers
Once you've identified your needs and goals, it's time to start researching potential providers. Look for companies specializing in software localization and have experience with similar projects. Check out their portfolio to get an idea of their capabilities.
It's also essential to compare rates and services offered by different providers. Read the fine print and ask questions to ensure you get the best value for your money.
Check References and Portfolio of Work
It's always a good idea to check references before hiring a software localization provider. Ask for references from past clients and contact them to get an idea of their experience with the company. This will give you an insight into their work and customer service quality.
You should also look at the company's portfolio to get an idea of its capabilities and the projects they have worked on in the past.
Research Their Rates & Cost-Benefit Analysis
When selecting a software localization provider, it's essential to research their rates and compare them with other providers. Make sure to estimate the project's total cost before signing any contracts.
Analyzing the cost-benefits is essential to decide if the investment is worth it. Make sure to evaluate time efficiency, revenue increase, and customer approval when making a decision.
Look for Quality Assurance
Finally, look for a provider that offers quality assurance services. Quality assurance is essential in software localization as it ensures that the translated software meets the highest standards of accuracy and usability.
A good provider should have a team of experienced linguists and engineers who can review the localized software and provide feedback on potential issues.
Establish Clear Communication During the Project
Once you've chosen a software localization provider, remember to establish clear communication during the project. Provide detailed instructions and expectations to ensure the project is completed on time, and within budget.
Tips for a Successful Software Localization
Going through the localization process is the next step for companies that have already finished the preparation process of any software. Here are some best practices to keep in mind when localizing software:
Understand Different Language Requirements
When localizing software, it is essential to be aware of the language-specific requirements, as every language has regulations that must be adhered to.
Some languages require special characters or symbols, while others require specific formatting. Translating content to European languages is more accessible, but some letters are not used in English. Chinese and Arabic use completely different lettering. Localization will have different requirements.
For effective localization, it is necessary to comprehend the language demands of your target audience. Localization involves more than just translating words; it also requires considering the different cultural contexts and nuances and any specific formatting needed for the localized version.
Understanding the necessary language demands for localization means knowing how different languages handle plurals, genders, word order, sentence structure, spelling, and punctuation. This is critical to ensuring a quality end product adapted for its target market.
So, localization is translation but in code?
Not really. Even though, in general, both translation and localization have the same intent of transferring the message to a target audience, localization goes beyond just translation. It ensures that the message is adapted to the target market's culture, language, and preferences.
Different cultures can sometimes differ in some core societal values. For example, a Christmas sale won't be as effective in a country that doesn't celebrate Christmas. Localization takes into account these cultural differences and adjusts the message accordingly.
Software Localization Tools
Software localization tools are a great way to streamline the localization process. These tools can help automate more tedious tasks such as extracting strings from source code, translating them, and then integrating localization file formats into the code.
These tools can also help manage localized software versions and track them over time, making it easier to keep track of any needed updates or changes.
When selecting a localization tool, you'll want to consider its features. Some tools may provide more advanced capabilities, such as machine translation or automated QA checks, whereas others may only offer primary string extraction and translation capabilities.
The cost of the tool should also be taken into consideration. Some might have a hefty price tag, while others may be free or open source.
Selecting an experienced and culturally aware software localization company is vital to the success of a localization project; make sure to search for one that is familiar with your target language and market.
To Sum Up
Choosing the right software localization company is essential for ensuring a successful localization project. It's important to research the language requirements of the target market before beginning the localization process and look for a company that has experience in the language you are localizing for and understands the cultural nuances of your target market. Additionally, software localization tools can help streamline the process by automating some more tedious tasks.
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