Enabling software to compete in the international market

How can companies of the capital goods industry enable their software to compete in the international market? The answer to this question is given in the guideline "Software Internationalization" published by VDMA (German Machinery and Plant Manufacturing Association). User Interface Design GmbH (UID) also contributed to this file resulting in a guideline on how to develop software solutions that are internationally applicable.

From localizing the color and icon selection via considering different reading directions to selecting the right screen format – enabling a product to compete in the international market means more than just translating the interface. Whoever wants to open up new markets and sustain its position in gobal competition, has to face the challenge of software internationalization.

International expertise of UID sought-after

The guideline "Software Internationalization" was prepared by members of the VDMA work group Software Internationalization. Due to their longtime experience in designing interfaces of industrial products, UID was significantly involved in the preparation of this guideline. Andreas Beu, Manager Industry Solutions at UID, supervised the publication and contributed his practical experience. "Customers that integrate up to 30 languages in their software are no longer unusual at UID. We contributed our competences in the international environment to the VDMA guideline", says Andreas Beu.

Preparing software for global competition

Localizing a product means adapting it to different languages and regional differences. The localization process must already be taken into account during the product development. In the course of internationalization, the software technology must therefore allow for using different languages, fonts, formats, and reading directions.

The layout must be designed to meet intercultural needs

As regards the layout of the screen masks, the lengths of words in different languages must be considered. For example, Finish, French or Russian words are usually longer than German words. Cultural differences in colors and numbers also play a role for icon design. In Japan for example, positioning four elements should be avoided as the number of four also stands for death. These are just some useful tips and examples provided by the VDMA guideline to support manufacturers of industrial applications.

Internationalization combined with user research

In its projects, UID combines the knowledge of software internationalization with the knowledge of worldwide user research tests. Through usability tests, manufacturers receive valuable recommendations for the design of successful products. Country-specific requirements such as daily work routines, learning habits, and the comprehension of symbols of the users are often not revealed until the test takes place in the foreign country. Being a member of the International Usability Partners (IUP), UID is able to offer usability tests on all five continents. The network of independent usability companies IUP ensures services of high quality and quick, efficient project management.

The guideline "Software Internationalization" can be ordered at www.vdma-verlag.com at a price of 48 € (for VDMA members: 38.40 €).

Links for further information

• Contact Andreas Beu, Manager Industry Solutions
• International User Research and Usability
• Order guideline at VDMA
• VDMA Website

Contact

User Interface Design GmbH
Marion Gottschling, Corporate Communications
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phone +49 (0) 7141 3 77 00 0
fax +49 (0) 7141 3 77 00 99