A2Z Global

A2Z provides high-volume localization and translation of software and technical documentation for major Japanese customers in the information technology, engineering, and telecommunications industries. In business for over 16 years with offices and production centers in the US, Europe, and Asia, A2Z uses the latest terminology and translation tools together with an extensive staff of highly qualified professionals to produce quality Japanese translations, in short turnaround times, that are very cost effective.

Our strategy is to be the Global Technical Communication Company in Information Technology Products and Services. We have developed services that reach beyond the classic definition of translation and localization to include a value-chain of services that take our customers from the system development stage, through technical writing, localization and translation, to in-country training and support facilities.

A2Z has established a formidable presence in Asian translations, especially Japanese. Internationalization and localization involve more than just changing the language. Our clients especially appreciate the technical expertise of our staff, our suggestions for a more streamlined process, and recommended changes for cultural and linguistic conventions in the Japanese language.

The following services are provided routinely to clients; in addition, however, we offer customized services to meet specific client requirements:

Overall Planning and Project Management (including schedules & status reports)

Terminology Development, Update, and Maintenance

Internationalization Audit of Materials

File Preparation, Aligning, and Leveraging of Previously Translated Materials

Management of Translation Memory

Localization, Translation, and Technical Editing of Software, Contextual Help, Manuals, Documentation, Prospectus, Tutorials, CBT Training Guides, Spec Sheets, Web Pages, Marketing, and Collateral Materials

Engineering Services, Including Software Resizing, Compiling, and Linguistic and Functionality Testing; On-line Help Compiling, Formatting, and Testing

Desktop Publishing, Graphic Editing, Screen Captures, Proofreading

Coordination of Client Review and Inputting Corrections

Production of Camera-ready Materials and Electronic Media -- Including CD-ROM’s

Multimedia – Including Localization, Translation, and Production Services

Conversion of Documentation into Electronic Book Format (SGML)

HTML Conversion, Including Web Pages

Native speaking professionals with expertise in the technology sector execute our translations. We have a comprehensive gathering of highly skilled and educated translation specialists, many with advanced (Ph.D., MBA, and M.D.) degrees in a variety of scientific and technical fields (i.e. Physics, Mathematics, Network Engineering, Financial Analysis, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Education and Information Technology). The Translation Resources Department continually researches a wide network of professional industry-related associations; overseas offices; on-line databases and global networks; linguistic specialized universities; and targeted media for competent, technical translators and editors to use for specific projects, full time and/or back-up staff, and subject experts.

A2Z has extensive experience in localizing a wide variety of applications, including:

Client-server and operating systems

Financial and statistical software

Enterprise-wide software (financial, human resources, sales management, accounting)

Hardware (computers, printers, fax/modems)

Networking and telecommunications

Telephony, video boards, and video conferencing

CAD and graphics software

Business applications, spreadsheets and databases, utilities

We have created a program that is intended to build long-term, mutually profitable partnerships with selected high-tech companies that have large multilingual localization requirements. A2Z offers to develop a team of highly qualified individuals dedicated to the client/partner. The team includes trained, professional linguists, software engineers, desktop publishers, project managers, proofreaders, and technical service personnel, etc. A2Z will set up offices, if appropriate, and invest time, money, and training to insure the success of this endeavor. A2Z will build and constantly monitor performance standards and criteria to insure quality translations and services.

For A2Z to enter into this agreement, we need a commitment from our client for a specific amount of work to be performed on a yearly basis.

Some of our clients for Japanese localization and translation include Amiable Technologies, Bay Networks, Bentley Systems, C-Cor, Inso/EBT, Matrox, Oracle, PSDI, SAP, and Tetra.

Amiable Technologies – a digital imaging software developer. A2Z has provided translation into Japanese, Korean, and Chinese as well as desktop publishing services for their graphics user manuals in both PC and Macintosh formats.

Bay Networks, Inc. – a producer of hardware and software networking products. In addition to translating an extensive complement of manuals, A2Z is providing complete desktop publishing services for the client. Commenting on the quality of A2Z’ Japanese, translation skills, this client stated: “I’m excited to review the …manual because the translation quality is very good. This is the best quality I’ve ever seen since I was born.”

Bentley Systems, Inc. – a developer of CAD software. In addition to translating over a million words per year, A2Z provides desktop publishing, compiling, resizing and testing for all the software and documentation.

INSO/EBT – a developer of an electronic publishing software application that allows the user to view SGML formatted materials. A2Z localizes and translates over 500,000 words per language per year of software, documentation and help into Japanese and several European languages.

Matrox – a developer of software and hardware graphic, imaging and networking products. For the past three years, A2Z has translated over a million words into Japanese and sixteen other languages.

Oracle – developer of financial application, database, and programming tools. A2Z provides translation and engineering services in order to produce over 2 million words of user documentation and on-line help.

PSDI – developer of asset maintenance management software. Their Windows 95/NT based application allows users to oversee equipment usage and maintenance, track work orders and purchase orders and manage finances. Our task consists of localizing over 500,000 words per language into Japanese and six other languages. A2Z is working with the client to facilitate the product globalization, ensuring system compatibility with double-byte Asian characters. Using proprietary tools developed by PSDI, we are localizing the software, help files and documentation: translating, compiling, formatting, publishing and testing.

Tetra – a financial systems distribution and manufacturing software developer, similar to SAP. This product is UNIX based, which places severe restrictions on line lengths. Translations must adhere to very strict parameters, so A2Z engineers have developed macros to streamline the process through automation. Core terminology and glossary adherence are extremely important within the constraints of the UNIX system.

SAP – when SAP opened its offices in Japan in the early 1990s, we were the first company to translate all applications, as well as the database, for SAP Japan. A team of 23 Japanese translators, editors and engineers worked full time on SAP localization for several years with strict timelines being met and integral QA with SAP Japan as part of the process.

UPS Logistics – a developer of road mapping software used by transportation companies. A2Z engineers integrated internationalized concepts to the software and localized the resources.