Are you struggling to keep your translation at pace with your frequent software updates? In an era where constant updates and fast product releases are the norm, speed and agility are key to staying competitive. Yet the struggle to coordinate different teams located around the world, maintain consistent quality, and handle frequent releases in multiple languages can be overwhelming.

Enter continuous localization. This approach merges software and video game development with the translation process, automating the translation of updates so your software, game, or app interface is always up-to-date for every market you serve. As a result, when you adopt continuous localization, you gain faster time-to-market, improved quality, and cost efficiency.

Here’s how Hansem Global uses this tactic to streamline your localization efforts and maintain your brand’s competitive position worldwide.

How to Overcome Common Continuous Localization Challenges

Deploying continuous localization comes with its own set of challenges, but understanding and addressing these can lead to a smooth and effective process. Here are the top three challenges we see companies struggling with along with some recommendations for addressing them.

1.   Maintaining Consistency and Quality
Consistency and quality are the foundation of a good customer experience. However, since continuous localization means translating smaller amounts of content more often, variation and errors can creep in if not managed properly.

To fix this, stop using scattered tools and centralize your resources.  Tools like translation memories (TMs), automated quality checkers, and glossaries help maintain uniformity by making sure the same words and phrases are translated the same way each time.  Keep them all in one place using a translation management system (TMS) for fewer errors and consistent content.

Additionally, translators need to be familiar with the product and its context to deliver accurate translations. Translating individual strings of text can be tricky otherwise, as ambiguous words or phrases often lose their meaning without context.

Supplying translators with context, such as images or short videos of the product in use, helps to significantly improve accuracy and reduce mistakes.

2.   Managing Workflow
Effective management of the translation process is essential for timely and accurate translations in a fast-paced environment. A continuous localization platform should include:

• Process automation: Automate repetitive tasks like file exchanges, status updates, quality checks, and adding localized text strings back into the product to save time and reduce errors.
• A single source of truth for strings: This usually comes in the form of a translation management system (TMS) to provide consistency and easy access to all translation assets.
• Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) tools: The tools provide translation memories, glossaries, and real-time collaboration for improved efficiency and accuracy.
• References for translators: Screenshots or design mockups help translators understand the context, reducing ambiguity and improving accuracy.
• Integration into a continuous delivery workflow: Integration with your delivery workflow ensures translations sync automatically with content updates, minimizing manual processes.
• Integration with design and development tools: Use APIs to sync your localization platform with tools like Git, Figma, Jenkins, and Adobe XD. Automatic updates and translations will keep everything in sync, and translators can see content in its final design so that translated text fits in the interface and translations make sense in context.

Once you have a workflow in place, track metrics like turnaround times, quality scores, and error rates. Use this data to improve efficiency and iterate over time.

3.   Collaboration Between Development and Localization Teams
Continuous localization thrives on collaboration between development and localization teams. Ideally, the localization team should be integrated into the software development team, but since localization requires specific types of expertise outside of development, partnering with a vendor is often a more logical solution.

When working with a vendor, establish strong collaboration mechanisms and processes to promote smooth communication and workflow. This can include working together in one project management board or bug tracking tool, having regular standup meetings, having a group slack channel, etc.

Have translators on standby and keep the translation team consistent. Working with the same translators over time builds trust and gives the localization team a deeper understanding of your product.

How Hansem Global Approaches Continuous Localization

For a major transportation company operating in 70 countries and requiring continuous updates, Hansem Global developed an innovative solution to streamline its localization process. Here’s how we did it:

We linked the client’s code repositories, which store and manage their software development code, with our Translation Management System (TMS). Changes in the code repositories automatically trigger a push of content to the TMS for translation, eliminating the need for manual steps. This automated workflow removes the need for project managers to liaise between the development and localization teams. As soon as content reaches the TMS, our localization team begins translating, significantly reducing delays and speeding up the process. Once translations are completed and QA’d, they are automatically pushed back to the client’s code repositories.

This process is backed by our bench of dedicated localization professionals who are always ready to accept new content so that translations can start immediately.

 Our system is perfect for companies with a centralized localization function; all departments send translation requests through one channel, so we can meet every translation need quickly and efficiently.

Thanks to the automated, streamlined workflow, our translators pick up content and return translations within two to three days based on SLA (Service Level Agreement).

For our transportation client, this system means less time spent on managing the details of the localization process. They successfully keep their global software up to date in every region via continuous updates, without sacrificing quality.

Simplify Continuous Localization with Hansem Global

Continuous localization is the only way to manage constantly changing software and continuous releases.

But if all of this sounds complicated, well, that’s because it is. Continuous localization is complex and requires specialized knowledge, but you don’t have to do it alone. Partnering with an experienced localization provider can help you navigate these challenges effectively.

Hansem Global’s approach is all about efficiency and automation. We help clients keep up with rapid content updates, maintain top-notch quality, and stay competitive. Whether you need a centralized localization process or a custom solution, Hansem Global has you covered.

Are you ready to streamline your updates and achieve flawless global releases? Contact Hansem today to explore how our integrated systems and automated workflows can enhance your localization process and boost your efficiency.