A multinational company will have varying localization needs depending on the organisation of the company. For those departments dealing externally, such as sales and marketing, the need for local language products is important to support the business. A MIS function for the same business, on the other hand, may only require products in the business language of the company, no matter where they are geographically located. Either perspective has pronounced impact on suppliers.

Previously, vendors were not expected to provide products that could be easily adapted to different geographies. As more companies seek international markets for growth, the expectation is that their vendors will not only supply products to meet changing geographical requirements but also be in a position to service emerging interdepartmental needs as dictated by the local business climate. For vendors, this will mean the ultimate in open systems support: providing language variants for a variety of software and hardware products on multiple platforms.

As computing power continues to become more and more accessible, the need for localised products will increase. Vendors will be pressured to guarantee that the localized products will have the same features as the original product - thus ensuring quality and equality of service - and that they reach the customers simultaneously, so that users worldwide can be operational from the start.

Digital as a Member of LISA

Digital believes that localisation services enables customers to be more productive. The availability of products whose interface is in the native language of its users, allows those users to work at peak efficiency. In addition, when LVs are tuned to the practical business environment of the countries of use, a type of environmental customisation is achieved which is only available through the process of Localisation.

The knowledge needed to work in this type of environment comes only after years of developing an expertise – in personnel and processes – which then guaranties quality and delivers what the customers needs. Maintaining this level of quality can only be achieved by focusing on continuous techniques, tools and standards, both international and defacto.

Digital has a demonstrated commitment to supporting international standards. Indeed, the company has been very active in developing standards in many areas of industry. Localisation is no exception! Digital's involvement in LISA is a further example of our commitment to develop and support standards work for the benefit of our customers, the other participants and of course for Digital itself.

For more information, please contact:

Mike Oughton, Reading, England.
Telephone +44 734 868711