Software globalization and localization, in terms of reciprocity
First, let us name what we will label as the triggering phenomenon for the current situation. Certainly, we are not the first to appreciate that economic globalization builds the substructure for any other aspect of globalization permeating the circulation of the contemporary, prevailing trends in the organization of a society running with the general high standards of the rest of the world. In other words, keeping pace with the general rhythm of the world has become one of the necessary approaches for the survival in the present-day order of things. Starting with the event of economic globalization, several other globalization-related phenomena panned out. For the sake of exemplification, such phenomena are the development of global communications, the emergence of notions such as global village or global travel, the boost known by Internet-facilitated means of business conducting and interaction, the appearance of global partnerships (legal entities), and last, but not least, e-business turned global.
In other words, globalization is turning more and more obvious. It is an active principle at the level of successfully conducted businesses. However, the key issue with successful business run at a global level is managing to satisfy global expectations. This is certainly no piece of cake, unless you have found a means of securing efficient international communication. Efficient international communication presupposes the use of language. Let us look at the situation going on just several years ago. Everywhere we looked, we would come across the necessity of understanding and speaking English. Nevertheless, things have changed a bit in the past few years. English is no longer mandatory at worldwide level, although it is still the dominant language. This happened because, along with phenomena such as e-business and Internet marketing, the focal point of such enterprises became mobile and no longer concerned strictly the US. On the contrary, it started gaining truly global views and got interested in what other markets might need and, as a result, might generate in terms of profit.
Otherwise stated, we are now talking about a global market. Where does software globalization belong in this ample picture? Concisely, a global market needs global-tailored software to function properly. This means that an approach such as software globalization will make it possible for software output / brands to reach and circulate practically anywhere. An auspicious impression on foreign markets would otherwise become an improbable project. On the contrary, an approach such as software globalization is the guarantee that any software application will work consistently with the demands and expectations of any market, regardless of the language and culture to which the potential customer belongs. This means that any software product should provide the potential user with the possibilities of selecting between the English design and the design that includes any other of the languages securing the circulation of the product on the global market.
With the involvement of the language dimension – which is, in fact, the one triggering the entire approach in the globalization of software characteristics – another issue arises. Could one globalize without localizing? Is there a globalized product that could work on a certain market, unless its vendors / producers took care of adapting it to the local needs of that specific market? This is the point where the reciprocity we were alluding to in the title of this article interferes. Concisely, the answer to the two questions above is no. In order to secure successful globalization of software products, one also needs to consider software localization. A specific market area will demand products turned specific to its characteristics. Software localization involves the handling of the language on a specific, local market in all of its aspects. Prior to reaching the localization stage, such a product will go through an internationalization stage. This means that the blueprint and code of any product approach the whole situation in such a manner that they turn out completely unconstrained by any pre-established “kit” of language, culture or coded characters. After the internationalization phase, we can confidently gain on the issue of software localization, by adjusting the internationalized version of the software product to the language, coded character and culture set of the specific region.
In other words, with both globalization and localization of software products, we are going beyond the borders of translation. The issue is far more complex than mere translation. While we may maintain similar semantics, it often happens for the product to have an adjusted syntax. This is necessary because it is common for the product buyer to use not just the language, but local “codes” of language as well. This is where the advantage of a spellchecker is obvious. However, other issues are of concern here, such as the handling of currency, punctuation and format for specific, local market expectations. In the end, software products able to sustain different languages and local codes of usage are turning imperative for the proper functioning within an economic globalization environment.


Localization testing for securing the success of software globalization
Two of the built-in implementation aspects of software globalization are software internationalization and localization. One will gain a coherent perspective of the magnitude of such a task if he or she considers that the amount of information that needs accurate translation and adjustment to locales finds its best illustration in the phrase “thousands of lines of information”. In fact, the data that require proper translation often go beyond the order of mere thousands. With such an impressive amount of information to handle, it is no wonder that localization testing is necessary. In the absence of such an action, we would risk wasting a lot of time on software products that would eventually turn out ineffective and, implicitly, disregardful of the customer’s demands.
The first dimension considered by localization testing approaches is that, given the circumstances that we are operating on a global market, the translation processes we are dealing with do not relate to the area of ordinary, customary translations. An impressive amount of file quality checking is necessary, in order to deal successfully with potential file errors or with delayed files reporting. Moreover, professional authoring tools are indispensable in the process. In other words, localization testing takes place at the level of a set of tests necessary for checking the quality of the translated constructions.
In this manner, through testing, we first need to make sure that the original product functions coherently, adequately on an operating system displaying localized features. Afterwards, a series of simulated versions of the original product will be useful in the verification of potentially corrupted characters or abbreviations. In the end, in order to comply with locales (local measurements, currency, punctuation, and so on), case studies and test cases need to provide the software translation memory with specific local features.
By means of testing and software internationalization, software products become accessible in the potential customer’s own language. Moreover, the operating system on which such software functions is of a localized nature, which is again to the customer’s best advantage. The result: a satisfied customer is always the guarantee of a successful business. With the proper internationalization aspects taken care of, you can enhance international sales and secure the success of your business.
With software internationalization, software product buyers will find it possible to ascribe, observe and issue the information they need by making use of their own character code sets. Internationalization is the process that supports complex text languages, such as Hebrew, but it can also support different character codes, such as ideographic, as the case is with Japanese or Korean characters. Of course, proper consideration is also necessary in the case of simple character codes.
This goes true for the aspect concerned with internationalization. However, the process continues with software localization, as it is mandatory to adjust the software product to the requirements specific to each locale – with localization, software products are practically embedding aspects particularly concerning idiosyncratic, individualized code sets foe each locale. We do not forget for a single second that being global means adapting your products to fit the expectations of an incredible number of locales existing on the global market.
The point is that, when you want to survive on a software global market, you need to adjust your entire line of attack to its demands. In other words, your offer needs to suit its needs. Now consider that a global market will practically accommodate diverse locales. In order to satisfy diversity, your products need internationalization. In order to comply with locale requirements, your products need localization. In the case where you manage to cover such aspects, you have successfully secured your software globalization.
We are providing you with the complete range circumscribed by software globalization requirements. From software internationalization and localization to localization testing and adjustment to locales, we make sure your business benefits from highly professional assistance.


Top 10 Security Assessment Genius Moves
Here at Redspin, Inc we’ve done security assessments at over 100 financial institutions. As such, we get to see how other companies do their security assessments, and are regularly entertained by some of the more creative reports left in their wake.
All of the following are real world Genius Moves that we’ve seen made by prior auditors.
Security Assessment Genius Move #10:
Failure to “search and replace” the bank name in a boilerplate document. That’s right. Bank of Smallville got a leftover report that was originally created for the Bank of Metropolis (okay, not the banks’ real names, but these things really happened).
Security Assessment Genius Move #9:
Printed out a report that was so long and repetitive, that the client couldn’t even find the recommendations.
Security Assessment Genius Move #8:
These banks could find the recommendations. Easily. Because every single recommendation was, “Buy our product.” We’d name the banks that got this report, but we don’t have enough space. (Sorry. That was catty.)
Security Assessment Genius Move #7:
Infected the client with a virus during the security audit. No, seriously. They infected a client with a virus during the security audit. We love that. Basically, all we had to do in our security audit was not accidentally kill a man, and we would be the golden boys.
Security Assessment Genius Move #6:
Directly pasted hundreds of pages of Nessus output into a report. Like reading the phone book, only without as much plot.
Security Assessment Genius Move #5:
On a wireless security assessment, included ALL wireless access points in range of the test. The bank passed, but the neighboring deli and hair salon turned out to be vulnerable. Do you want your hair-cut information hacked?
Security Assessment Genius Move #4:
Included a list of 65,000 computer ports in order to pad report. I had a girlfriend like that, once.
Security Assessment Genius Move #3:
Downloaded the trial version of a commercial pentesting tool off the net, and then forgot to remove the words “TRIAL VERSION, NOT FOR COMMERCIAL USE” from the report. Ethics, schmethics.
Security Assessment Genius Move #2:
The auditor didn’t really know what he was doing – so he actually asked for help from the bank’s IT person to run his auditing tools. We heard later that the auditor changed professions, and became a proctologist.
And, finally, mostly because we like the poetry of this finding:
The #1 Security Assessment Genius Move:
An auditor’s findings – “There are no Policies and Procedures for creating Policies and Procedures.”
Redspin specializes in security audit and security assessment services, which help their customers identify potential threats.http://www.redspin.com