Report

June 2000

The Multilingual Site Blueprint

Eric Schmitt 		For US companies, multilingual sites are no longer optional. Firms must build a centralized palette of software to gain leverage, consistency, and speed but let local offices choose which components to implement.
by Eric Schmitt with David Cooperstein, Joyce Tong, Charlene Li

INTERVIEWS
  • 63% of Fortune 100 Web sites are available in English only.
  • Early adopters say software incompatibilities are the greatest hurdle to multilingual sites.
ANALYSIS
  • Companies will build internationalized technology palettes.
  • Local executives will cherry-pick relevant applications.
ACTION
  • Rethink translation service RFPs.
  • Make internationalization the rule, not the exception.
WHAT IT MEANS
  • Vendors will offer language-based software components.
  • Translation will become another XML killer app.
 
Figures & Data
  • Figure 1.  Early Multilingual Site Adopters
  • Figure 2.  Centralized Technology Offers Compelling Benefits
  • Figure 3.  Without Local Involvement, Sites Will Fail
  • Figure 4.  Multilingual Sites Have A Three-Part Infrastructure
  • Figure 5.  Evaluating Multilingual Help
   
RELATED MATERIAL 
  • Companies Interviewed For This Report
  • Related Research
 
GRAPEVINE
  • Opposite ends of the global retail spectrum.
  • Do as I sell, not as I do.
  • The same old standards story.
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Ratings and Comments
NOT YET RATED
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