Global collaboration and knowledge sharing still a myth – not a reality

Survey Reveals Widespread Lack of Communication and Data Sharing

SDL Maidenhead , United Kingdom
07 June 2007

SDL, the leading provider of Global Information Management (GIM) solutions, announced today that insufficient collaboration and knowledge sharing is a major challenge for U.S. enterprises striving to grow their brands globally.

 According to a survey conducted by SDL, 68 percent of U.S. businesses report that lack of managing multi channel content into multiple languages across the global enterprise represents a key problem.

The SDL survey found that U.S. businesses encounter significant difficulties as they attempt to get their products into global markets quickly. In fact, 50% of respondents cite the simultaneous delivery of content in multiple languages as their biggest task when disseminating product information across multiple markets.

“The fast pace of globalization has compelled organizations to break down traditional departmental silos,” said Chris Boorman, Chief Marketing Officer for SDL International. “It’s imperative that different divisions within companies, as well as offices scattered across the globe, utilize technology to help them share knowledge created in one language, globally ensuring the consistency of content and messaging. This is the only way for an organization to protect its brand integrity as it expands its global footprint.”

The study also concluded that translation and terminology management are a key focus area for U.S. businesses with over 40% of respondents saying that they need to make improvements in this area. 

In addition, 40% of those surveyed consider their biggest branding challenge making their content culturally and linguistically relevant to new target markets.

The SDL survey also confirms that U.S. businesses—particularly their marketing departments—are dealing with a diverse set of issues in their quest to manage brand consistency in a wide array of languages.


About SDL International

SDLInternational (London Stock Exchange: '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 global information from authoring to publication and throughout the distributed localization supply chain.

Global industry leaders rely on SDL to provide enterprise software or hosted services for their GIM processes, including Audi, Bayer, Best Western, Bosch, Canon, Deutsche Bank, Kodak, Microsoft, Morgan Stanley, Reuters and SAP. SDL has implemented more than 400 enterprise GIM solutions, has deployed over 150,000 software licenses across the translation supply chain and provides access to on-demand translation portals for 10 million customers per month. Over 1000 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. 

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