How to achieve continuous delivery of localized releases

Is your team constantly racing to localize updates across multiple regions, only to fall behind? With content and software updates rolling out faster than ever, the pressure to deliver localized versions quickly and simultaneously can feel overwhelming. Juggling tight deadlines, coordinating global teams, and guaranteeing consistent quality across languages isn’t easy.

But what if you could streamline this process and efficiently keep your product up to date for all markets? Continuous localization offers a smarter way to ensure that every update reaches your global audience with speed and accuracy–all essential to success in a competitive market.

What is continuous localization, and why does it matter?

Continuous localization is an agile approach that fully integrates translation into the software development cycle. Instead of treating localization as a separate, manual task after updates, this method automates the process alongside each release, ensuring that localized content is always updated in real-time.

This means your product, game, or app can be updated simultaneously across all languages and regions. As new features launch or bug fixes roll out, your international users will always have access to the most current version of your product or service.

By automating workflows and reducing manual effort, continuous localization prevents delays and bottlenecks. Continuous localization helps you stay ahead of the curve, providing your best releases to your entire market as soon as they are available. This approach is especially valuable in fast-moving industries like hi-tech, media, and ecommerce, where frequent updates are critical to user engagement and business success.

Continuous localization at Acclaro

At Acclaro, we’ve developed a proven strategy for continuous localization. We use a cloud-based platform called WordsOnline, which combines Neural Machine Translation (NMT), AI quality control, and a global network of expert linguists. This tech-plus-human approach allows us to handle high volumes of content quickly without sacrificing quality.

NMT technology works by using deep learning algorithms that continuously improve with each translation, making it particularly effective for repetitive or large-scale content updates. The AI processes routine tasks and automates some quality checks, while human linguists focus on fine-tuning for cultural nuances, context, and brand voice.

WordsOnline centralizes the work and facilitates the management of each stage—from content assessment to quality assurance. Instead of waiting for content to be passed back and forth between teams, WordsOnline allows translations to happen in real-time. Our platform provides instant access to the necessary tools, making it easier for teams to stay aligned and keep pace with the rapid demands of global markets. It also provides real-time business insights about your localization program: a dashboard gives you complete oversight so you can track the progress of each project as it happens.

Continuous delivery across markets is now as easy as ordering an Uber

With WordsOnline, localization becomes as easy as ordering an Uber. Here’s how:

• Once you upload a project to WordsOnline, NMT automatically translates standard elements, while human linguists handle the more complex or creative text.
• Like Uber drivers claiming ride requests, our global network of linguists claims sections of your content in real time.
• By breaking large projects into smaller tasks, multiple linguists can work simultaneously, speeding up the entire localization process.

With the AI-powered NMT providing initial translations and the Translation Memory handling repetitive elements, translations are not only faster but more accurate over time, thanks to its ability to learn from previous projects.

Once translations are completed, the content is reviewed by our quality assurance team to guarantee that the final product both meets linguistic standards and captures your brand’s unique voice.

WordsOnline’s real-time, on-demand service makes continuous localization across multiple regions fast, accurate, and scalable, allowing you to release global updates with confidence.

Why use WordsOnline?

WordsOnline can cut localization schedules by up to 80%without compromising quality.

In today’s fast-paced and highly competitive market, this level of agility and speed is key to staying ahead. Faster product launches, marketing communications, and shorter time to market give global businesses a competitive edge.

But speed alone isn’t enough. That’s why WordsOnline is supported by accredited human translators, rigorous quality checks, and a thorough post-editing process. It’s a comprehensive platform that’s changing how content is localized. With support for any file type, 24/7 availability, and global reach, WordsOnline meets your language needs anytime, anywhere.

For example, Microsoft’s Customer Experience & Success team (CE&S) needed to localize one million words per month in up to 47 languages. By partnering with Acclaro and using WordsOnline, Microsoft saw a 52% cost reduction and achieved overnight localization across 44 language combinations. The platform enabled Microsoft to meet tight deadlines without sacrificing quality, ensuring their global customers received timely and accurate updates—critical for security patches and product support. This collaboration has helped Microsoft safeguard its global reputation while streamlining its localization process.

A few tips for setting up continuous localization

Setting up continuous localization can be challenging, especially when managing fast turnarounds, maintaining consistency across regions, and integrating with development cycles. Here are a few practical steps to help make the process easier and more efficient:

• Choose the most suitable vendor: Partner with a vendor like Acclaro, whose WordsOnline platform processes high volumes of content quickly, helping you localize product updates with minimal delays.
• Maximize efficiency with automation: Automate repetitive tasks like file preparation, translation, and content delivery. WordsOnline’s automation tools integrate with your content management system (CMS) and development environments, enabling faster localization cycles and reducing human errors.
• Align localization teams with product development teams: This level of collaboration, early and often, streamlines workflows, speeds up updates and helps maintain consistent quality across languages.
• Provide translators with context: For small strings from a user interface or a website, screenshots can provide helpful context and prevent misunderstandings.
• Stay aligned with real-time monitoring: WordsOnline’s cloud-based dashboard makes this easy: it offers complete transparency. You can track real-time progress, assign tasks, and instantly communicate with your linguistic teams. This feature lets you respond quickly to any potential roadblocks, ensuring projects stay on course.
• Take advantage of 24/7 global resources: For example, with WordsOnline, you can access a global pool of linguists and editors around the clock. This coverage is critical for meeting tight deadlines across multiple time zones and regions, making it easier to manage simultaneous releases.

What’s next for your global product updates?

Continuous localization is essential for staying competitive in fast-moving global markets. Acclaro’s WordsOnline platform gives you the tools to automate workflows, maintain quality across languages, and monitor progress in real-time. By reducing bottlenecks and ensuring smooth global releases, you can focus on scaling your business without worrying about localization delays.

Ready to accelerate your global growth and stay ahead in every market? Get in touch and let Acclaro help you deliver localized updates quickly, accurately, and efficiently.