The role of localization in IT sphere

Information technology (IT) is a broad term for a wide range of technology-based solutions, from hardware and software solutions to IT services. Many people benefit from it without realizing it, mostly in devices such as smartphones and other gadgets. Within IT, localization plays a crucial role, enabling people worldwide to use technology in their native language. Yes, localization in IT sphere is a key factor in its success.

As an IT company, your goal is to reach a market by providing solutions and services. Perhaps you’re already thriving in the local scene and wondering if potential customers from other countries can benefit from your services. CCC International says yes, other markets out there need you. And localization can help you establish a presence where you were once unheard of.

Key Takeaways:

• IT companies must look into the role of localization in IT sphere to reach potential customers from other countries.
• Software localization is the translation and localization of an application’s user interface and/or content into different languages. It also ensures that the software meets the needs of a global audience and conveys messages accurately.
• IT translation services are essential components of any IT offering. Some of its benefits include reaching global markets and increased sales.

Table of Contents:

• An Overview of Information Technology
• The Benefits of Localization in IT Sphere
• What is Software Localization?
• Software Localization in Germany and France
• Software Localization in the Middle East
• Traditional VS AI Localization in IT Sphere
• CCCI – Professional IT Localization Service Provider

“The study and application of computers and any type of telecommunications that store, study, retrieve, transmit, manipulate data and send information,” AoeLogic defines information technology. It involves the use of hardware and software in performing significant tasks that people need daily.

IT is what increases productivity and efficiency and supports faster communication. For example, people used to rely on a landline to make calls. But now they can use their smartphones and other digital devices to surf the web, access emails, download, and stream videos, use social media applications, and more.

The IT industry is also powerful in businesses. It impacts almost all work environments by providing automated processes. Automation allows companies to meet the needs of their customers quickly and cost-effectively. And besides business, IT also affects education, finance, healthcare, and security. Simply put, IT is a game-changer for almost every sector.

IT companies offer various solutions, such as developing websites, providing applications, designing software systems, and offering IT services. People outside the industry may not fully know that IT influences their daily lives, but knowledge about it in any form can put you in a unique position to leverage your business.

Localization is one of the many ways you can make IT easier for people to understand. It’s the process of adapting products, services, and content to cultural sensibilities in their target language. Let’s narrow down localization to IT and understand the potential it holds.

Localization allows multinational corporations to provide services and apps in different languages and cultures. For instance, you have a sales app that has dramatically impacted local customers. Depending on your target market, you can expand your product offering worldwide by making it available in Japanese, Spanish , French, and other languages.

Localizing your IT offerings will make them easily accessible and recognizable to people in different regions. It’s a great way to increase brand visibility and ensure prospective customers can find your services.

Every country or region has its own preferences, so localization helps to tailor your IT products and services to meet those needs. Through localization, you can reach out to people who don’t speak English and set your product apart from competitors.

UX/UI localization can help you customize your IT product to make it more user-friendly and engaging. Localization can also improve the overall user experience, as people can use your product in their own language.

People who understand a product or service better are more likely to engage with it. With localization, you can reduce the language barrier and make people feel more connected to your product or service. They’ll trust your product more and be likely to make purchases

Increased reach and number of customers will boost your sales. The more people can understand and relate to your product, the more users you will gain. And the more users you have, the higher your company’s revenue will be!

Software is one of IT’s most important components in business, and localization helps to make it easier for users to use. Software localization includes translating an application’s user interface and/or content into different languages. It ensures that the software meets the needs of a global audience and conveys messages accurately.

Note: Software internationalization involves preparing all elements, text lengths, currency symbols and numbers, dates and times, character encodings, and even language direction.

Is software localization already a widespread option for IT companies? Yes. And markets are increasingly becoming competitive.

Two of the countries where IT companies worldwide can find expansion potential are Germany and France. In 2022, Germany’s IT industry subsectors generated the following revenues:

• IT Services – USD 45.3 billion
• IT Hardware – USD 34.9 billion
• IT Software – USD 34.1 billion

The industry is undeniably booming, meaning there’s a demand for IT offerings. Your IT company can maximize this potential with German translation services and localization for your products or services.

On the other hand, France’s revenue in the IT Services market is projected to reach USD 53.31 billion in 2023. The expected annual growth rate (CAGR 2023-2027) is 6%, meaning the market volume could reach USD 67.29 billion by 2027. How can you tap into this rapidly growing market? French translation services and software localization!

Besides Germany and France, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region also has favorable prospects for the IT sphere. Despite the canceled IT projects throughout the region because of COVID-19, the industry is recovering as businesses recognize its advantages. The region saw total spending of USD 13.55 billion on IT services in 2020, and a forecast spending of USD 120 billion was made for 2022.

Arabic translation services and localization can definitely help IT companies penetrate the MENA market. While businesses in the region quickly leverage the benefits of robust digital environments, you can seize the opportunity to offer your IT products or services.

IT and localization are two different domains. The former belongs to technology and engineering, while the latter is to language. However, localization is a critical component in IT sphere, and it also thrives with the help of technology. You can’t have localization without IT, and IT needs localization to become truly global.

Localization solutions range from traditional to computer-assisted processes. Depending on the needs of your IT business, it is wise to look into all your options and choose the model that best fits your project.

Pro tip: Adapting a web or mobile app for localization can be tedious and time-consuming, but it’s integral for businesses to reach out to more customers. Work with professional localization providers to ensure localization accuracy and a spotless localization process.

While traditional localization is almost always preferred, localization powered by AI technologies is becoming increasingly crucial for IT localization projects. The two have unique advantages; you can use them together or separately to produce the best localization solution.

IT localization requires localization experts, QAs, and even engineers. How can your IT company go global with all these challenges? CCCI is your best bet.

CCCI has a team of localization professionals with specific IT experience, plus an integrated localization platform for accurate localization quality and time-saving. As a multinational translation and localization agency, we have offices in Europe, Asia, and the United States, providing services to various industries in up to 30 languages, including Japanese, Dutch, French, German, and more.

We take localization seriously, as we understand that localization isn’t just about translating words but also about embedding cultural references to ensure the localization project’s success. While markets invest in IT, you should invest in localization to go global.

Our team can provide complete localization and IT translation services. We believe in your IT company as much as you do. Get in touch with us today!