IT Case Studies

• Case Study 1 - TOIN received an order from a large PC manufacturer in the USA for localizing a game console and software into many different languages at the same time. We created a project organization that enabled us to localize the material into multiple languages in a short period of time, and we resolved all the issues that arose.
• Case Study 2 - We achieved dramatic time savings when localizing into multiple languages by checking the text that appears in the software at TOIN Japan.
• Case Study 3 - TOIN can construct secure organizations so that even highly confidential projects can be entrusted to us with peace of mind.

Case Study 1

Summary

TOIN received an order from a large PC manufacturer in the USA for localizing a game console and software into many different languages at the same time. We created a project organization that enabled us to localize the material into multiple languages in a short period of time, and we resolved all the issues that arose.

 Challenges

• Short delivery times because development and localization are performed in parallel
• Handling many different languages at the same time

 Solutions

• TOIN started localization work without waiting for development to be fully completed
• We used our offices worldwide and external partners to localize into multiple languages at the same time

 Conclusion

• TOIN minimized the time required for localization
• We ensured stable quality by using the same localization processes in all languages

 Case Study

Our client in this case study is active in the highly competitive video game market. The major issues facing the client were minimizing the sales cycle for the game console and software, and improving the contents of its games.

Consequently, the client had two main requests: 1) to perform game development and localization in parallel, so that the contents of the games could be modified as close to the sales launch as possible, and 2) to localize into multiple languages at the same time without being affected by time-zone differences, so that once the localization is finished all languages could proceed at the same time to the machine test.

In response to these customer needs, TOIN started the localization work when the video game development was about 80 percent finished, enabling the localization process to be shortened. For the remaining 20 percent, TOIN established a system in which as soon as the client decided on an English term or changed the text, the changes could be immediately localized into multiple languages at TOIN.

This enabled the client to continue with development until immediately before the sales launch and to concentrate on developing top-quality game consoles and software. By cooperating with its worldwide offices and other partners, TOIN was able to accept the entire multiple-language localization order, and deliver the project on time.

Our success enabled the client's test staff to proceed to the machine test for all languages at about the same time, which shortened the cycle of development → localization → test. Further, since TOIN used the same localization process for all languages, we achieved a stable translation quality across the different languages. If a problem was discovered in one of the languages during translation, our system enabled us to immediately check with the client and communicate instructions to the staff members in charge of each language. This allowed issues to be dealt with before delivery and corrections to be performed as required in all languages.

Case Study 2

 Summary

For a printer manufacturer, we achieved dramatic time savings when localizing into multiple languages by checking the text that appears in the printer software at TOIN Japan.

 Challenges

• Frequent modifications are made to the software
• Each time a modification is made, the text must be checked
• If the text is checked overseas, time-zone differences mean it can take as much as one or two days

 Solutions

• TOIN recruited checkers for each language to our office in Japan

 Conclusion

• TOIN dramatically shortened work times
• We also greatly improved responsiveness to instructions and reports
• We used the same system for many other product types

 Case Study

A large Japanese printer manufacturer was creating a printer driver for 16 languages. The translation was finished at an early stage, but every time the software was changed the associated text also had to be rechecked and updated. A fast response was essential because the software was constantly being modified right up to the launch of the product. Our client had previously used a local translation agency via its overseas office, but the time-zone difference meant that the response was not fast enough. At one stage, they had considered performing such work in Japan, but gave up due to the difficulty of finding native speakers of Northern European, Eastern European and Southeast Asian languages.

When TOIN heard of this problem, we suggested continuing to perform the actual translations overseas, but to check the software text at TOIN Japan. The text check involves making sure that the characters are readable and that the proper terminology is used in the appropriate screen, so it does not require the same level of specialist knowledge as the translation. The important thing was to have the work performed by native speakers. Even if they cannot understand detailed technical information, they can immediately spot an inconsistency or usage mistake.

We tried to recruit checkers in the 16 languages, but at first it was difficult to find people who came from Northern and Eastern Europe. Of course, we posted classified advertisements, but we also sought help from foreign language universities and foreign embassies.

We have a department called Vendor Relations (VR) whose role is to recruit appropriate personnel. VR staff visited foreign community and exchange organizations and through the resulting introductions were able to find checkers in the 16 languages before the start of the project.

Our client now receives the results of the text check only a few hours after supplying the new software version to TOIN. Needless to say, this greatly satisfies the client.

We subsequently received orders for a large number of similar projects, and we also extended the same method to projects other than printers. Our checker lineup increases with each new project, and we can now handle many more projects than we could at the beginning.

Case Study 3

 Summary

TOIN can construct secure organizations so that even highly confidential projects can be entrusted to us with peace of mind.

 Challenges

• The project required strict security management

 Solutions

• TOIN established information management rules and uniform operation rules
• We established rules for waste paper processing
• We allocated a special room to be used for the project
• We used encryption when sending or receiving data
• We used a separate network to communicate with the client

 Conclusion

• We established a fully secure information management system, regulating both equipment and employee behavior

 Case Study

The client in this case study is involved in computers, software and music distribution, and as such is extremely anxious to prevent information leaks during the development stage. Providing a completely secure information management system was a precondition to the order that the client made with TOIN.

We have dealt before with products that have not been released to the market, so we, too, are very conscious of the need for proper information management. All paper used during a project is disposed of in a special waste container, the contents of which are then completely dissolved. We draw up and rigorously enforce information management rules and uniform operation rules. In the server, for example, not only can nobody other than the Project Manager access the folders, but the folders themselves are not visible.

In the case of this client, we made security even stricter by arranging a special work room for the project. The electronic lock at the entrance was changed periodically and the team members could only perform their work for the project inside the room. If personnel were not involved in the project, they were not allowed into the room: not even our company President could enter. And naturally, we established a network system separate from the internal LAN for communication with the client, and all data such as e-mails and files were encrypted.

Staff from the client sometimes came to the office to inspect our information management system and they rated TOIN's system as the strictest that they had ever seen.

As we have seen from this case study, TOIN goes to the utmost lengths to provide a secure environment that fully satisfies a client's needs.