Softlation Welcomes You
Softlation – a better form of localization
A new Mobile oriented localization service called Softlation is ready for public release. The app has been developed to provide application developers with a powerful, smooth, and efficient localization process. Sure, this has been done before, but what sets Softlation apart is not only how this app works, but a wealth of client oriented features including SDKs that make the translation and localization process easier—now you can manage translations either before or after the release in the App Store.
Unlike other localization services, Softlation offers a user friendly platform which brings product owners, translation agencies and individual developers together, allowing them to work as a team to localize their apps. In order to do this, a new methodology and workflow has been developed which allows developers to translate their apps from one language to another and then localize the translation based on regional dialects and standards, ultimately resulting in decreased expenses and improved quality.
We have also combined this with a powerful new mobile SDK that enables users to get their translations and localizations out to users quicker, easier, and cheaper. In face, our SDK allows you to push localizations to users without having to update your app via App Store.
How Softlation works
Softlation is first and foremost a platform that allows you to translate your software from your native language into another language. When you sign up for the service you first create a company page which becomes your project hub; where you launch and manage projects from; and upload your information and content.
Launching a new localization project is quick and simple. All you have to do is select a project type e.g., Localization of a mobile app, Web content, or a desktop/server app. From there you can upload the source files for the content you are going to be localizing and select the languages you would like to translate your content into.
As with any project, you will want to maintain control over the process and outcomes. With Softlation, you can easily manage the permissions and parameters for each project. Thesedictate the outcome of the localization including how the text will look to developers, its color, how keywords are highlighted, etc. The idea here is that they allow you to control and fine-tune the project so that it turns out exactly how you want it to.
Once you have uploaded your content and set the project permissions, you can then select the languages you want to translate your app into. To begin with you can pick two languages as source languages.
Following the translation, you can export results in any number of completed formats including: iOS Strings, *.plist, XML and more. This makes the localization of your apps on various platforms not only easier, but more efficient largely because the app is pretty much ready for local markets once the translation has been finished and has been applied to your app.
Managing your projects
As with any project, developers require granular control, and Softlation delivers in spades. The owner or main developer of the app functions as the administrator and can manage all aspects of the project including language glossaries, and versions – Softlation features advanced version control so should a mistake be made, you can roll back your project to a previous version and continue from before the problem. If you would like to continue the project to test solutions you can freeze a version and continue the process in a child-relationship.
Administrators can also invite different team members including translators, editors, marketers, developers, etc. and manage the permissions associated with their roles. This helps ensure that the project is not only secure, but also limits access of each member only to the role they need to take.
Team members who are assigned to be project managers can also start machine translation tasks using popular translators like Bing Translator, Google Translate, Yandex, Bidu Online Translation, etc. Once this translation has been finished, they can then export the results in the correct format and ask native speakers to improve the machine translation.
Ensuring your app is ready for local markets
While using machine translators is a great first step, they are not 100% reliable, especially if you need to translate your project into a language that is heavy on idioms, slang, acronyms, etc. That is why Softlation has integrated support for professional translators into the platform.
If you are a professional translator, you can work with companies and developers to help ensure that app content is properly translated. For example, translators can look at different versions of content that has been translated by machine, or by hand, and uploaded to the platform and vote on which is the best, or you can offer your own translation.
All translators can use a multi-language interface. To begin with, they can choose up to two languages to be their base language. This means they will see two source languages and beable to translate into a third language. Softlation PRO users will also be able to exporting projects in XLIFF format so they can use their own glossary on their computers to translate and localize, and then upload the result.
Softlation strives to ensure that localizations are carried correctly, the first time. In order to help ensure this, the platform has advanced error detection features. The system checks all translations for any mistakes and should any be found you will see ‘attention’ messages in the main project screen. For example, if the system notices errors such as a difference in the number of words, missed placeholders, different capitalisation, etc. these will be flagged for your attention.
Softlation’s game changing mobile SDK
For mobile developers, the Softlation platform offers the unique, game changing Softlation SDK which features Softlation Sync and Softlation QA products. This SDK comes with a pre- compiled universal library that provides a dead simple way to not only implement localization updates through Softlation Sync, but also improve the overall Quality Assurance for localization (or SQLA, as it is referred to on the platform).
Why is the libSoftlation so useful?
The main benefit of this feature is that you can implement new languages/localizations and changes to existing translations without having to follow the traditional method of updating your mobile apps – submitting an update to the App Store, having it verified and then pushed to users via the app platform.
With libSoftlation, you just add the new language on the Softlation platform and all users who use that language on their devices will get the update the next time they launch the app. So, for example if users have downloaded the American English version of your app, but their device is set to Spanish, and you localize your app for Spanish, they will notice the app has been switched over to Spanish the next time they launch the app after you release the localization.
To increase the overall usability of apps localized using this platform, users will be able to select the language they prefer directly from the app. For example, someone who uses the English version will be able to switch the app over to Arabic directly from the app.
If you are a software developers who would like to adapt libSoftlation, or to integrate it with your apps, you will be able to include libSoftlation in your app. When you set up the project on Softlation, your will be provided with an API Key which will enable two setup modes: Production and Development.
Development mode allows you to work on changes and then test them before launch. For instance, you can be working on an app while providing a special build of it to the translator who can translate and test the localization simultaneously just by clicking the button on the screen. These changes can then be implemented into the app after they have been tested, and then pushed to users.
Production mode on the other hand, runs in real time with any changes being implemented at the next launch of the app. If a word is changed or translated, it will show up in the end file at the same time. This Cloud system is also great for teams of translators working on the same document – it decreases the chance of people translating the same sentences.
Where can we learn more?
Softlation is currently ready for release with the SDK being in Beta mode; almost ready for stable release. You can visit the site to learn more and sign up, or leave a request on the website.
About the company
Softlation is being developed by an international team of talented software developers who are based in various offices around the world. This fast growing company was started by a group of like-minded software developers from Europe, and is soon to open an office in Hong Kong which will serve as the main headquarters for Asian operations. Over the next few years there are plans to open offices in North and South America as well. Check out the company page here to learn more about Softlation.