Using Localization Consultants
26/01/14 21:51 Archived in: E-zine
By Peter Kjeldsen,
There are many ways to use a consultant, but the main thing to keep in mind is that the consultant is there to help their client achieve a certain result. As an expert, there are many things the consultant can help the client with, however, the client must understand that it is only possible to benefit from expert advice if you act on it. Additionally, you have to be honest with yourself and the consultant in order for the relationship to work.
Using a localisation consultant can, in many instances, keep down the cost of your localisation projects. Let’s say you’re working for a software company who needs to localise one of their projects, and you have noticed that you get very different quotations from the localisation companies you have asked to quote. Some people would say; go with the least expensive solution, others would instantly rule out the least expensive solution in favour of a more expensive solution simply because they will be suspicious about the cheap solution.
No matter what you think, or the sales people tell you, the price difference is more than likely caused by you not controlling the quotation process properly.
Think ahead, if you are going to localise this version, you will more than likely localise the next version as well, so make sure to get the TMs from the localisation company (have them to include in the quotation that TMs will be given to you after each project). It is well worth buying a TM tool yourself in order to pre-translate the next batch before you send the file(s) out for translation, but do it only as a test, if you do not speak the language you are better off having the localisation company check that translations are correct. This simple procedure keeps you on top of how much has changed in the files and give you an idea an estimate of the price you should expect from the localisation company.
This is common sense to most people who have been in the localisation industry for some time, but for outsiders it is a strange concept. A procedure like the one I have just described is one of many small things you will have to think of, not forgetting designing and preparing your software for localisation.
The consultant will not only help with these kind of issues, but (s)he will, by the fact (s)he knows the different localisation companies, be able to guide you straight to the companies who have implemented all the processes, both in respect to workflow and quality control, and have a good track record.
It is not enough to look for Quality certifications like ISO9000 and “Q” marks. Several companies have invested in these certifications but only very few employees in these companies ever see these document dinosaurs (like the Loch Ness Monster). It is all well and good that the companies have thought about the procedures, but in real life, the technology and the tools are changed so often in a leading edge localisation company that the quality manuals need to be updated constantly.
The weakness of the quality certification is that it is not related to skill or ability, it just means that the workflow was documented some time ago. Having said that, all the companies are in the same boat and only the consultant knows each company’s strengths because (s)he works with most of them. Companies are like people, they are not all bad or all good, and it is essential that you choose the right one for your project. Sales people are sales people whether they sell used cars or localisation services and the smart buyer always bring a mechanic when checking out a used car, so maybe you should bring a localisation consultant next time your company considers localising your latest product. Not only will it be more cost efficient but you will also save yourself many headaches later on.
There are many ways to use a consultant, but the main thing to keep in mind is that the consultant is there to help their client achieve a certain result. As an expert, there are many things the consultant can help the client with, however, the client must understand that it is only possible to benefit from expert advice if you act on it. Additionally, you have to be honest with yourself and the consultant in order for the relationship to work.
Using a localisation consultant can, in many instances, keep down the cost of your localisation projects. Let’s say you’re working for a software company who needs to localise one of their projects, and you have noticed that you get very different quotations from the localisation companies you have asked to quote. Some people would say; go with the least expensive solution, others would instantly rule out the least expensive solution in favour of a more expensive solution simply because they will be suspicious about the cheap solution.
No matter what you think, or the sales people tell you, the price difference is more than likely caused by you not controlling the quotation process properly.
Think ahead, if you are going to localise this version, you will more than likely localise the next version as well, so make sure to get the TMs from the localisation company (have them to include in the quotation that TMs will be given to you after each project). It is well worth buying a TM tool yourself in order to pre-translate the next batch before you send the file(s) out for translation, but do it only as a test, if you do not speak the language you are better off having the localisation company check that translations are correct. This simple procedure keeps you on top of how much has changed in the files and give you an idea an estimate of the price you should expect from the localisation company.
This is common sense to most people who have been in the localisation industry for some time, but for outsiders it is a strange concept. A procedure like the one I have just described is one of many small things you will have to think of, not forgetting designing and preparing your software for localisation.
The consultant will not only help with these kind of issues, but (s)he will, by the fact (s)he knows the different localisation companies, be able to guide you straight to the companies who have implemented all the processes, both in respect to workflow and quality control, and have a good track record.
It is not enough to look for Quality certifications like ISO9000 and “Q” marks. Several companies have invested in these certifications but only very few employees in these companies ever see these document dinosaurs (like the Loch Ness Monster). It is all well and good that the companies have thought about the procedures, but in real life, the technology and the tools are changed so often in a leading edge localisation company that the quality manuals need to be updated constantly.
The weakness of the quality certification is that it is not related to skill or ability, it just means that the workflow was documented some time ago. Having said that, all the companies are in the same boat and only the consultant knows each company’s strengths because (s)he works with most of them. Companies are like people, they are not all bad or all good, and it is essential that you choose the right one for your project. Sales people are sales people whether they sell used cars or localisation services and the smart buyer always bring a mechanic when checking out a used car, so maybe you should bring a localisation consultant next time your company considers localising your latest product. Not only will it be more cost efficient but you will also save yourself many headaches later on.