FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: I have read the description of your different offerings, and wonder what is best for our case. As we don't have much experience with localization and internationalization we are not sure exactly what we need. What do you suggest?

Answer:  While you can request any one of our productized services on their own, there is always some amount of Globalization Strategy consulting that is needed. Basically, this is the starting point for any of the services, so we suggest to start with it. The depth can be adjusted to what you are trying to achieve, and our sales engineers can help identify what should be in the scope, with a dialog.

Question: What is the advantage of going with Epik Global Solutions for our consulting needs?

Answer: "Full spectrum globalization guidance", and being "vendor agnostic". First of all, the guidance you will receive from EGS is comprehensive and covers the full spectrum of globalization, from which you can pick and choose and obtain customized services. Our team has extensive knowledge in not only localization, but also software internationalization, cultural adaptations, search optimization, marketing, and globalization strategy services, including roadmapping and ROI preparation.  We are able to assist your marketing managers, engineering departments, IT staff, or higher level management.

Secondly, EGS team has experience with the major localization firms and technology vendors, but is an independent firm, and therefore is vendor agnostic. When we make recommendations on your content translation needs, we do not have any goals to sell you translation/localization services. If we make any recommendations on your processes, and recommend technologies, we can be objective and help you select what suits your needs most, unlike other consulting teams who are part of companies who provide the technology solutions.

Question: I see the terms localization, internationalization and globalization in your service descriptions. Can these be used interchangeably, or are there specific meanings to each?

Answer:  Yes, each of these terms have a very specific meaning in our industry. Here are some definitions that can help you.

Localization (L10N) is the process of translating and adapting existing source language content to meet the local preferences and/or conventions of a specific target market (a "locale"). It addresses content language, culture, display of local units of measure, etc.

Internationalization (I18N) is the process of generalizing a technology platform and architecture to efficiently support and adapt to multiple languages and local/cultural conventions. It is a development process that eliminates the need for re-design with each target language and reduces the cost of localizing a software, web application or architecture.

Globalization (G11N) is the process of defining the business and technical requirements, processes and resources necessary to launch and sustain a multi-market initiative or initiatives to address international target audiences and stake-holders. It is broader in meaning, and includes internationalization and localization.

Question: Isn't translation management covered under content management systems? Why would my corporation need a TMS system, if I already have a CMS implemented?

Answer: A CMS (Content Management System) is different from a TMS. A CMS system is best at managing the steps related to the authoring and management of content pieces. It can also manage the creation of content in multiple languages, but does not maintain the one-to-many relationship between source and target content, the was a TMS does. Additionally, TMS systems include linguistic technology that is not part of CMS functionality. Therefore, the best solution to making your CMS have these features, is to integrate these two type of systems.

Translation Management System (TMS) also called Globalization Management Systems (GMS) is an enterprise software application that facilitates the management of the localization process and maximizes translator efficiency by automating all repeatable and nonessential work that can be done by software/systems and leaving only the creative work of translation and review to be done by humans.