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Microsoft Invests in Translation Support Software Supplier
Microsoft will acquire a 20% share in TRADOS, centralizes localization efforts
REDMOND, Wash. - Sept. 9, 1997 - Microsoft Corp. will acquire a 20 percent minority share of TRADOS GmbH in a move to accelerate the delivery of localized products. TRADOS’ products are utilized extensively by the software industry to create foreign-language "localized" software products. Microsoft ships its products in more than 30 languages, and the investment in TRADOS reflects commitment to deliver localized products to international markets quickly and efficiently.
"Investing in TRADOS’ technology will secure our ability to produce high-quality localized products in the most cost-effective manner," said Franz Rau, director of internal tools at Microsoft. "This partnership will allow us to work with TRADOS to keep in step with Microsoft’s evolving needs."
Microsoft plans to use TRADOS software as its internal localization memory store. This will allow Microsoft to more effectively re-use already localized text from product to product. The minority share in TRADOS further solidifies the relationship between the two companies. As part of the deal, Microsoft has also purchased a long-term support-and-development contract to service Microsoft-specific needs. TRADOS expects this move to enable it to step up the pace for new product development.
"Our relationship with Microsoft will allow TRADOS to consolidate and expand its position as a worldwide leader in the translation tools market," said Iko Knyphausen, CEO of TRADOS.
TRADOS’ flagship products, MultiTerm for Windows and Translator’s Workbench, provide multilingual document production capability.
MultiTerm for Windows is TRADOS’ multilingual terminology management package allow users to create, manage and consult multilingual terminology databases with ease. The TRADOS Translator’s Workbench provides the ability to recognize, store and reuse strings of text. In addition, TRADOS software uses linguistic processing techniques to recall previously translated words and phrases.
"Having the benefit of a strong partner is important to us at this stage of the development of the company," said Jochen Hummel, president of TRADOS. "We’ll be able to take advantage of Microsoft’s experience and keep up our 100 percent growth rate of the past three years."
About TRADOS
TRADOS GmbH was established in Stuttgart, Germany, in 1984 by Knyphausen and Hummel. Customers for TRADOS software include the European Commission, Nato, SAP, Credit Suisse, PeopleSoft, Oracle Corp., and leading translation companies such as Berlitz and ITP. TRADOS has 11 sales and support offices in Europe and the United Sates, with its corporate headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany. TRADOS is now establishing a support and sales presence in Asia to address the booming market for localization technology in Japan, China, Korea and other countries of the Pacific Rim.
For more information, call TRADOS Corp. in the United States at (703) 683-6900. Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.
Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respected owners |
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