Software Localization
CSOFT’s end-to-end software localization solutions include GUI translation and linguistic, functional, and cosmetic localization testing for a full range of platforms
Software localization is more than just the translation of digital platforms and user interfaces. Whether it is novel AI applications on the desktop or traditional mobile apps for everyday living, making sure that your software products are intuitive and functional in every language you publish to requires a combination of linguistic translation, functional and linguistic testing, and continuous version control to ensure any updates to your product are reflected accurately.
Powered by our professional 10,000 in-country translators and software experts, CSOFT is able to provide consistent, high-quality localization solutions for virtually all software applications, including ERP, CRM, CAD, websites, anti-virus programs, games, mobile apps and many others.
Localization Testing
CSOFT’s localization testing focuses primarily on a product’s cosmetic and linguistic qualities. For example, once localized, the software needs to be verified on different platforms to see if translated options properly fit within the target dialog boxes and if all hotkeys use unique letters. CSOFT conducts localization testing separately for each target language using a subset of the testing scripts developed for the English version. If such testing scripts are not available, we will work with our clients to develop a testing strategy to ensure every menu, dialog box, and message from the translated resource files has been verified.
Learn more about our localization testing services.
Software GUI Localization
Software GUI Localization refers to the translation of the software graphical user interface (GUI) components, such as dialog boxes, menus, and error and status messages displayed on users’ screens. The best localization process usually starts with the software GUI translation. Online help and user documentation translation should only begin after all software GUI strings have been fully translated and reviewed. This is because online help and user manuals reference the software user interface elements very often. This process will ensure all GUI strings are translated consistently for all product components.
In a typical software localization project, the following GUI components normally need to be translated:
- Dialog boxes
- Menus
- Strings
Learn more about our software GUI localization support.
Mobile App Translations
Mobile app translations are becoming a priority for an increasing number of businesses today, as companies look to engage their customers and users with helpful digital applications that range from support centers to complete products and mobile friendly versions of their digital content. CSOFT’s approach to mobile app localization and translation includes identification and extraction of localizable elements as well as re-engineering and complete testing of numerous language versions. The key to our success is ensuring quality throughout every step of the process while leveraging our ISO certified industry best practices.
Learn more about our mobile app translations.
Resource File Translation
In modern application development, most of the GUI components are stored in external resource files. These resource files are then compiled into binary executable files. For example, on Windows, .rc files are compiled into .dll files using a compiler such as Visual C++. CSOFT offers complete support for the translation of various resource file formats. We also work directly with compiled binary executable files to minimize accidental changes to formatting codes within the .rc files
Linguistic Testing
Linguistic testing is the process of systematically verifying the translated strings on each software screen to ensure correct translations. CSOFT uses only professional in-country translators with subject matter expertise for linguistic testing and verification. Our linguistic testing ensures:
- All UI strings have been tested (both hard-coded and external resource strings)
- Translation consistency between menu items and dialogue box titles
- Accented characters display and print properly
- Correct punctuation
- Localized text wraps, hyphenation, and sorting
- Hotkey assignment is consistent with the target operating system
- Proper abbreviations have been used when required by interface design
Cosmetic Testing
For software localization, cosmetic testing is an essential step to ensure the localized GUI is free of truncation, misalignment and other layout issues. In addition to having one of the largest localization testing teams in the industry to efficiently perform cosmetic testing, we have developed a framework for automated test case execution checking for things like string truncations, ensuring the accuracy of online help/links and overlapping controls. Our testing team will be responsible for hotkey testing and fixing cosmetic bugs such as dialog box resizing. For cosmetic testing, we ensure the following:
- All dialogue boxes are properly resized without truncation
- Uniqueness of all hotkeys in dialogue boxes and menus
- Extended characters display as expected
- Correct punctuation
- Alignment of buttons, consistent sizing of screen elements, and overall aesthetics
- Dialogue boxes and menus display properly using regional settings
Functional Testing
Functional testing is performed by our testing specialists to maximize both quality and cost efficiency. Functional testing is usually performed based on the client’s supplied test cases. When test cases are not available, CSOFT can help our clients develop them based on product specifications, online help, operation guides and user manuals. Functionalities are tested to ensure that they meet the design requirements and are free of bugs. The appropriate platform, browser and testing script will be used to ensure that the software application will be fully tested before it is released to market. All the testing results will be collected in our internal Bug-Tracking System in which we will define:
- Bug Name: the name contains the essence of the bug, the functional area involved and the behavior
- Description: listing the sequence of events causing the bug including screenshots or printouts to clearly indicate the error
- Steps to reproduce: a detailed list of all the steps that have been executed to reproduce the bug
- Severity: the severity is defined taking into consideration the testing-phase, impact on the overall testing process and all possible implications of the bug
- Impacted Area: the area or functions of the system impacted by the bug
Website Localization
Without professionally localized web content, companies risk losing significant market share to those who target global clients in their native language and with the local culture. CSOFT excels in website globalization utilizing our professional in-country translation and expert website engineering capabilities.
Unlike traditional documentation formats, web content is often generated dynamically using templates, scripts, back-end applications, and databases. Properly localizing a website and maintaining it for multiple languages can be a technically demanding task. Thanks to CSOFT’s software development and website engineering capabilities, we are ideally positioned to help companies localize their web content for global deployment.
In addition to the translation of static pages, CSOFT has the ability to process various file formats, including XML, ASP, JSP, JavaScript, PHP, SQL, MySQL, Access, and more.
Learn more about our website localization services.
Internationalization
Internationalization, or i18N, is the process to Unicode or double-byte enable a software program so that it can be easily localized and runs like it’s native on a target language platform. Our full range of analysis, enabling, and testing services eliminate the need for maintaining different code-bases for multiple languages and streamline the process of future product upgrades. CSOFT’s i18N service includes i18N analysis and assessment, double-byte or Unicode enabling and I18N testing.
Learn more about our internationalization services.
Localization Engineering
Localization or L10N engineering is an important part of the professional localization process. CSOFT localization engineers are specially trained to work with a variety of software tools, file types, and OS platforms to support the localization of our clients’ wide range of product portfolios. Among the various tasks conducted by our localization engineers are:
- File prep and analysis (word count, TM leverages)
- Compilation and engineering(software builds, dialog box resizing)
- Cosmetic testing
- File conversions (clean/uncleaned files, preparation for DTP)
- Customization of TM tools
Learn more about our localization engineering services.
SaaS Translations
With rising global demand for cloud-based platforms that let users access digital services through a browser on-demand, software-as-a-service (SaaS) translation has seen accelerating demand as organizations and individuals in the global market assimilate SaaS technologies, quickly taking the place of standard of software installation. From making SaaS available in hundreds of languages to localizing content to maximize productivity and productivity at work and enjoyment at home, translation is essential as it allows for seamless user experience for those with SaaS subscriptions in their desired languages. Particularly when it comes to instances like optimized data distribution, messaging channel functionality, and media management, as well as the customizable configuration of these tools, high quality translations can set different global SaaS platforms apart in their markets by delivering an intuitive interface for managing assets on the web, whether it’s emails or photos.
With a global network of 10,000+ linguists and subject matter experts in areas, including SaaS mobile app translation, CSOFT offers a full range of localization solutions, including for:
- Horizontal and vertical SaaS models
- CRM SaaS Translations
- Human resources SaaS Translations
- Accounting SaaS Translations
- SaaS Content Management Systems (CMS) Translations
- SaaS Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Translations
- SaaS Web Services Translations
- Project management SaaS Translations
- SaaS AI features Translation
Learn more about our SaaS translations.
Data Security
CSOFT has meticulously documented and fully traceable information security policies, checklists, and quality records. We understand the importance of security to our clients, which is why we take the upmost care in protecting patients’ confidentiality, as well as businesses’ data. All our data security processes leverage best practices from ISO 27001, ensuring we adhere to the latest international standards in information security.
Learn more about CSOFT’s data security procedures.
Speak to us today!
For more information on how CSOFT can assist you with your translation requirements, please contact us through this website, or call us at +1-617-263-8950.
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