Netwise is ready to take on new markets with the help of AAC's localization services
Netwise is a Swedish company producing information systems for computer-supported telephony solutions that has grown rapidly and become increasingly internationalized during the past few years, thanks to a successful business concept. Along with the growth, a need has emerged for the company to deliver its products and services rapidly, and in different languages.. In 2001, Netwise worked hard on the launch of Netwise CMG 6.0, which is the latest version of the company's main product, the Netwise Contact Management system. One of this product's key properties is the extended support function for localization.
Netwise began to search for a partner that could respond to the company's language service needs. Finally, AAC Global AB was selected for partnership. Cooperation between the two companies began in the summer of 2001, when Netwise's Product Manager Per-Olov Lisén ordered the German-language localization of a telephone traffic application from AAC Global.
The first joint project produced such convincing results that another, more extensive project soon followed. AAC Global was assigned to compile the terminology of all Netwise products in six languages: Swedish, English, German, Finnish, Norwegian and Danish. This terminology work formed the basis for the product's localization.
Per-Olov Lisen, why did Netwise select AAC Global as its language service partner?
The main reason was that AAC had the best overall vision of project implementation. They understood that it involves more than mere translation. Language is a significant part of the program's user interface. In AAC's operating model, a comprehensive terminology database was compiled first, and only then was the actual localization initiated. We find such a solution very smart and functional. In addition, AAC's good references and competent employees contributed to our selection.
How has Netwise benefited from the terminology database? After all, it was a rather big investment.
There are two major benefits: We now have a better product and also better opportunities for quickly expanding our business to new markets.
If you are ready to pay graphic designers for making the user interface look good, you should also be ready to invest in the quality of the interface's lingual content. Netwise wants to offer high-quality products. If a term or translation is incorrect in any language, it will hurt the entire product's image. No matter how advanced the technical implementation running in the background, the interface is the decisive aspect for the user.
Netwise's Contact Management (CMG) product concept comprises dozens of software products. It is very important that one and the same functionality is described and expressed in a uniform manner in all individual programs. New terminology is now integrated into the product in six different languages. Netwise CMG is used in eight countries, and the results of the terminology work are clearly reflected in the feedback gained from users. The CMG concept comprises a total of some 2,800 terms, and users have only commented on three of them - and the problems related to these three are already solved in the new version! In my opinion, this is an excellent result.
When entering new markets, a lot depends on whether you can act immediately when an opportunity presents itself, as such opportunities tend to come and go at a fast pace. Expanding our markets is a strategically important goal for Netwise, and thus the product's localization support is also a strategically important feature.
How has Netwise been able to influence AAC Global's terminology work?
Throughout the entire project, our cooperation with AAC was very close. We used our existing terminology as the basis and complemented it with the terms used in the new version. Then we reviewed the terminology in detail, utilizing AAC's expertise in terminology and our knowledge of our software. We completed the work in the two major languages, Swedish and English, and AAC was responsible for documenting the work and creating the terminology.
When the terminology database was being translated into different languages, we decided to validate all the translated terms. We received feedback from our subsidiaries in Denmark, Norway and Finland, and, to be absolutely sure, we also consulted external translators in problematic cases. This was another aspect in which AAC showed excellent cooperation. At the validation phase, we had several discussions concerning term selections - it was our common goal to find the best possible solution. Working with AAC drastically differed from that with a "typical" translation agency that usually consider their work done once the translation is delivered to the customer.
How has cooperation with AAC Global affected Netwise's internal communications?
Above all, it has simplified the entire process. Any employee has access to the terminology database, which ensures the use of correct terminology from the start. Moreover, Netwise's key vocabulary is now defined and stored in one place and, thanks to a web-based user interface, anyone can easily access it. The terminology database has also proven to be a useful tool for the compilation of marketing materials and different product documentation.
How much do you estimate that Netwise saved by investing in the terminology database?
Actually, the biggest gain from this investment is calculated in terms of income, not expenses. Thanks to the terminology database we now have a better product that can be marketed on several different markets. Thus, the most visible results are not lower costs but higher income and better marketing possibilities.
How do you see the cooperation between Netwise and AAC Global in the future?
AAC is a strategic supplier for Netwise, thanks to whom we can expand our operations to new markets. The established cooperation and AAC's exceptional expertise in this field are really valuable assets for Netwise.
With AAC, we have been able to develop a functioning method for localizing the entire product package: the software, user's manuals, marketing materials, online information, etc. This enables us to take a product with high-quality lingual content to new markets with minimal efforts. In brief, AAC enabled the globalization of the Netwise Contact Management concept.
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