1. www.sdlintl.cominfo@sdlintl.com E-Content Localization A discussion of the fragmented nature of e-content, and its implications for localization.

2. www.sdlintl.cominfo@sdlintl.com Contents Historical view of e-content Current definition (proposed) Challenges arising –Time frame –Shelf-life and re-use –Management and control

3. www.sdlintl.cominfo@sdlintl.com Historical view E-content was originally –Pure HTML –JSP/ASP –Intra/Extra/Inter net focussed –Typically Marketing material Support material Internal company documents (e.g. Help desk/FAQ)

4. www.sdlintl.cominfo@sdlintl.com Current meaning (proposed) Due to the adoption of XML and CMS, e-content can now be said to include: –English assets for any of: Documentation On-line help systems Intra/Extra net information Marketing material Software

5. www.sdlintl.cominfo@sdlintl.com Challenges These changes have led to significant new challenges: –Time to market Immediate release, or scheduled? –Shelf life Short term (low quality/cost) Medium term (higher quality, low cost) Long term (highest quality, cost?) –Management & Control issues File management Project control

6. www.sdlintl.cominfo@sdlintl.com Time to market Items likely to require immediate release are: –Press releases –Web site/extranet site updates –Product release notices –Internal Help Desk/FAQ material Scheduled releases: –Documentation sets –On-line help –Software versions

7. www.sdlintl.cominfo@sdlintl.com Shelf life Shelf life determines a number of factors in deciding on a localization strategy and approach, specifically a value statement: –High Value = Static content – documentation / Product description –Medium Value = Cyclical content – Marketing material & company investor information –Low value = Quick turn-around, or low viewing numbers Each value proposition requires a different approach from any management system employed.

8. www.sdlintl.cominfo@sdlintl.com Management & Control Today, most localization projects are based on a file model –Files 1 book = 10s of chapters (files) In the future, the string assets will be the largest building block available –Assets 1 book =,000s of string blocks (assets)

9. www.sdlintl.cominfo@sdlintl.com Management & Control… Files presented no significant management issue. –Numerous Source control solutions –Easy to track due to meaningful names –Quick to identify missing files

10. www.sdlintl.cominfo@sdlintl.com Management & Control… Assets pose a challenge several orders of magnitude higher –000’s of assets –No meaningful naming available –Automated assembly using XML – reduces the ability to identify missing assets

11. www.sdlintl.cominfo@sdlintl.com Is there a solution? Automated GMS tools must –Provide for extraction of assets from English CMS –Allow workflow solution to be defined by asset type, or originator –Provide an ROI based on internal management of publishing companies –Reduce overheads associated with vendor management of new e-content.

12. www.sdlintl.cominfo@sdlintl.com Questions….