The Last Word: less than a year before the defeat by developers of technology globalization “I mean 1) ups specializing in Internet and supported by funds from venture capitalists who strive to create a flagship application (which, in general, to locate web sites) and 2) the “hybrid technology providers and services” are warned that, in essence, sub-contractors setting up a “technological history” in order ‘impress clients and investors naive. I have mixed feelings about these companies to the globalization of technology and their role in our service industry. I often hoped that these new players and some leaders of our industry break the secrets for a more secure future. Unfortunately, none of them ever showed us the path to success in this market. Until now, no technology has proved capable of meeting the expectations of the location. Utility douteuseCes last six months we have found that business ideas and management teams ineffective, based in order to realize their dream of entry into scholarship to “get rich quick” will not survive. Among the companies are weak players in globalization technology that aims to develop tools for locating web despite their usefulness douteuse.J uses the words “doubtful” because 1) I am not sure that there really large market for Web localization and 2) if the market exists, before designing a machine location “, perhaps is it more important to find writers capable of translating the marketing materials or create pricing strategies which will cover the actual cost of production. I also think that the actors of globalization technology soon divest their software sector to “content management”. For more information on this theory, visit www.simultrans.com / solutions / futureofglobalization.htm.Qui want proprietary software? At the end the most practical of the board are the major companies in the localization, which have expanded their staff by acquiring their competitors. They invested at various levels in the development of proprietary tools. If they have invested heavily in technological research, they are probably in worse economic shape (as is the case or ALPNET Bowne, for example). If they have made only modest investments in technology, they probably are doing better (in the case of Lionbridge and SDL, for example). In any event, be it a large or small business, most of these investments will be lost. As always, customers will remain the only decision-makers: it is in their interest. And it is to protect that interest will continue to use the flexible, standard market, in general from suppliers such as TRADOS. The alternative non-owner will take precedence over the proprietary technology, first slowly, then this trend will accelerate when we know better the problems and real and vain (mainly marketing) proprietary technology. The two are they irreconcilable? Throughout the world, companies globalize. For the localization industry, it was an El Dorado: a world where demand for location services is greater than the number of suppliers. The role played by technology developers in the greater globalization of equation remains to be clarified. Similarly, it remains to be seen whether a company will offer a service or product better, thus enabling it to dominate the market. Localization is a complex and, like any service industry currently requires a good understanding of technology and how best to use it. Some CEOs of the world think of localization, perhaps by passion for technology or covetousness of wealth generated by enterprises of technological products, they can convert their service business into a production company. Most of the customers in looking for the location and need a human, not technological solutions. Customers wishing to benefit from improvements and not substitutes for human intelligence. Customers wishing to take advantage of location services compétents use a company that understands and uses technology wisely. Translations, particularly location-based services can not be processed and therefore created or delivered only by an automated system. The customer is roil global business (service or product) will continue to create, to create, join and disappear. That is the reality of our industry. This portrait of the future of technology in our industry may seem gloomy, but the change, even if it appears to be a regression, is an integral part of the changing business world. The technology is improving all the time. Fortunately, many technologies and companies are designed to generate income and thus to satisfy customers. In the end, it will be the customers who truly benefit from these developments. This article was first published in the magazine MultiLingual Computing & Technology, No. 37, Volume 12, Issue 1 © 2001 MultiLingual Computing, Inc..