Software

Localization of a software application from French into Czech language.

End client: Major European Software firm

The software application was designed to facilitate online reservations for a major hotel chain.

The application was a mixture of Windows and DOS programs, partially based on Microsoft SQL server. Localizable texts were stored partially in a simple proprietary database file, and partially in a text file. Also required was a localization of a set of report forms created using Crystal Reports.

The customer had their own simple translation tool to translate the database texts. Unfortunately, this tool was not suitable for a professional translation using CAT tools it didn't allow use of CAT tools and didn't use translation memory (thus repeated strings/segments were required to translate repeatedly instead of recalling the translations from translation memory).

Another problem was the potential difficulty in training translators for using this proprietary translation tool and also using Crystal Reports for translating the reports...

Therefore we decided to create our own process:

• After analyzing the internal database format, texts were exported using batch script into an Excel format, suitable for translation using CAT tools
• Texts from Crystal Reports .RPT files were exported using Crystal Translator tool into Excel
• These files were translated the usual way using TRADOS
• After translation, texts were imported from Excel back into the proprietary database and Crystal Reports files.
• Translated files were sent to customer to create localized version of the application

By implementing this solution we avoided the need for excessive manual translation due the ability to make use of the TRADOS CAT tool. Using the CAT reduced the amount of translatable items and increased the accuracy of the translation. The net result for our very satisfied client was a reduced project cost, greater level of translation accuracy and a quicker project handover.