SDL International supports launch of Volvo Pan-European dealer information system

SDL delivers translation of the 'Impact system'

SDL Maidenhead , United Kingdom
13 November 2002

SDL International (London Stock Exchange: SDL), the world's leading provider of multilingual solutions offering scalable translation technology software and services, today announced the completion of their project with Volvo Bus Corporation, launching their multilingual dealer information system.

 Volvo has spent almost three years converting more than 80 English language service manuals to SGML for use in the new Impact dealer information system. The next step was to have the same information available in 9 additional languages to meet the requirements of their international dealer network. The key issues were how to quickly deliver this information to Volvo's dealer network so that they could benefit from the use of the new online Impact system and avoid the costly process of retranslating all this information. In total, SDL had to convert more than 15,000 pages of printed manuals to highly structured SGML.

To satisfy this requirement, SDL set up a well-defined process that included high volume scanning and OCR reading, developed an intelligent process to create translation memories by combining scanned material and SGML data, extensive linguistic QA of the resulting translation memories and the translation of material not readily available from the translation memory.

'I have tremendous respect for the knowledge and experience SDL personnel have with multilingual technology and the translation process', said Martin Widegren Project Manager for the Impact project. ' SDL's Project Managers were excellent, their reporting process and consistent timely delivery gave me every confidence that we would meet our project objectives'.

Lars Söderberg, Training and After Sales Information Manager said 'I was very happy with the contribution of SDL. With support from their experienced personnel I was able to launch the Impact system in the European market on time and within budget. Based on the success of this project we will certainly involve SDL in future legacy data conversions'.

'It is a privilege for us to have worked worked with Volvo Bus on such a critical project' confirmed Charles Noall, Senior Vice-President at SDL. 'We continue to focus on delivering optimum quality throughout each and every one of our processes. The expansion of our relationship with Volvo is a tribute to our constant attention in this area'.

About Volvo Bus Corporation

Volvo Bus Corporation is the world's second largest manufacturer of heavy buses and coaches. The range comprises complete vehicles, chassis and bus bodies. Volvo also offers transport system solutions for public transport, leasing, financing and service contract maintenance. Production is carried out in Europe, North America, South America and Asia for more than 60 markets. During the last five years, the production of vehicles has increased by 50%.

About SDL

SDL is the leader in Global Information Management (GIM) solutions that empower organizations to accelerate the delivery of high-quality multilingual content to global markets. Its enterprise software and services integrate with existing business systems to manage the delivery of global information from authoring to publication and throughout the distributed translation supply chain.

Global industry leaders rely on SDL to provide enterprise software or hosted services for their GIM processes, including ABN-Amro, Best Western, Bosch, Canon, Chrysler, CNH, Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft, Philips, SAP, Sony, SUN Microsystems and Virgin Atlantic.

SDL has implemented more than 480 enterprise GIM solutions, has deployed over 150,000 software licenses across the GIM ecosystem and provides access to on-demand translation portals for 10 million customers per month. Over 1,000 service professionals deliver consulting, implementation and language services through its global infrastructure of more than 50 offices in 30 countries. For more information, visit www.sdl.com

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Nicola Bogle (SDL)
+44 (0)1628 417225
nbogle@sdl.com