CSOFT helps Eastman Kodak achieve double-digit productivity gain
Background
In order to meet the changing market demand brought on by the digital revolution, Eastman Kodak Company embarked on an impressive journey to transform itself from a worldwide leader in traditional film and photographic equipment manufacturing into a leading innovator for digital technology and electronic imaging products. Unlike the traditional film and paper business in which Kodak enjoyed higher profit margins and longer product cycles, the digital market requires both competitiveness and faster turnaround. It's in this context, Kodak TKM-Product Localization Group set out a goal in early 2003 to achieve greater competitiveness and productivity by adjusting existing localization model and workflow. The objective is to develop an alternative execution plan to reduce existing project costs while meeting the increased demand for localization through improved workflow, scalability and productivity.
The Solution
With our strong experience in L10N engineering, multilingual DTP and testing, CSOFT was selected by Kodak to provide a competitive alternative for pre- and post-processing for TKM localization projects. Translation and linguistic edits would still be kept at the same existing translation suppliers. This two tiered approach effectively de-couples the traditional localization lifecycle by separating pre- and post-translation processing away from translation. In this de-coupled model, CSOFT manages pre- and post-processing such as file prep, TM leverage, compiling, testing and DTP for Kodak localization projects but keeping translation and linguistic review/edits at Kodak's existing translation suppliers.
The de-coupled L10N model provides Kodak with several important benefits including:
? Reduced overall project cost
? More streamlined localization process for faster turnaround and consistent quality
? Improved scalability to meet increased project volume
Reduced overall project cost:
Since most of CSOFT's engineering executions are carried out in our China facility, Kodak will benefit from our strong L10N engineering capabilities at the most affordable price. CSOFT has been able to achieve 50%+ savings on average over L10N suppliers based in the US and Europe .
Faster turnaround and better quality:
CSOFT is a professional multilingual localization company that places great emphasis on continuously improving the L10N processes through technology innovations to improve project quality and efficiency. Specifically, we have adopted/developed the best processes and technologies to allow our team to gain productivity while keeping quality throughout the localization lifecycle. For example, we have developed tools that enable not only translation recycle, but also resizing and formatting information leverage for software resource files. We also developed tools that allow text strings from graphics to be extracted and re-incorporated automatically for maximum production efficiency. The combination of the de-coupled model and our Asia based operations allows an effective around the clock operation by using different teams located at different international time zones.
Greater scalability:
CSOFT has one of the largest globalization engineering resources in China . We have both the hardware platforms and human resources to meet the most challenging requirements of increased project volume and demanding deadlines.
Why is the de-coupled model feasible?
If we closely examine the localization lifecycle, we can see that it has many similarities to a typical product assembly line, in which each group such as engineering, translation, testing and DTP performs relatively independent tasks at different points of the production cycle. The modularization of the localization process is precisely why globalization management systems can be developed to automate localization workflow for better consistency and efficiency. Each component task is also interchangeable in that the same task such as TM leverage, resizing, compile/build can all be performed in the same fashion and independent of the actual content. With the availability of the broadband, these component tasks can also be performed remotely without sacrificing time and quality.
CSOFT has extensive experience working with the de-coupled localization model. Our L10N teams are specially trained to remotely handle various L10N tasks with demanding deadlines. One of the beauties of employing the de-coupled model with CSOFT is that we are able to provide very fast project turnaround because of our time zone difference with our US and European clients. For example, our team is able to complete file prep and L10N kits without incurring any time loss for our clients. As long as the client can send us the project request by the time they leave office in the evenings, we are able to deliver the completed L10N kits by the time they come back to office the next morning.
The following diagrams illustrate both the traditional single stop and the de-couple L10N models:
Figure 1, Single Stop Localization Process
Figure 2, De-coupled L10N Process
As shown in the above diagrams, CSOFT helps Kodak with the following tasks:
? Project analysis for development of cost and schedule
? Pre-Processing to prepare L10N kits for PS Group for translation
? Post-Processing
? Engineering
? DTP (if necessary)
? Validation and Testing
Project Analysis : This task includes studying the RFQ from FX and conducting initial project evaluation. It will also include examination of all source materials to obtain preliminary word count and project scope. Based on these information, CSOFT will work out project quote and rough project schedule.
Pre-Processing: This task Includes source file inspection for completeness and integrity, conversion of files for TM leverage, TM analysis, creation of translation kits and instructions.
Post-Processing: Includes incoming inspection of translated files, conversion back to source format, QA (build if Help or resource files), implementation of any fixes, final inspection and delivery.
DTP (for user manuals): Includes tidy-up of localized source files and at least one set of PDF files, and DTP QA, implementation of comments following linguistic check plus implementation of any comments by client.
Validation and Testing: Includes cosmetic and linguistic testing of the localized software and help. This is usually done by using a subset of the source application test script. If such a test script is not available, CSOFT can work with GLKS to develop one. Some of the functionalities may require hardware equipment for testing, however, we can still perform L10N testing if software simulators are available.
Conclusion
By employing the de-coupled model with CSOFT, Kodak was able to achieve immediate double-digital productivity gains for localization over conventional single-stop model. Kodak was also able to achieve much faster project turnaround by taking advantage of CSOFT's extensive and expert L10N engineering and production capabilities. We are confident that by employing the de-coupled model, CSOFT will be able to help your organization achieve substantial savings for your localization investment. Furthermore, CSOFT's strong experiences with the de-coupled L10N model will help ensure the initial implementation of this new process is smooth and easy to implement. For more information about CSOFT's de-coupled L10N model and how we can help your organization save L10N cost, please send an email to info@csoftintl.com or click here.
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