25. November 2020

Multilingual construction software: Do you speak Software-English?

Better quality of work thanks to multilingual construction software: Our modules speak the languages of many important markets - German, English, Spanish, Italian, French, Russian, Polish, Czech and Slovakian!

"High-quality localisation includes a review by a second specialist translator and a localisation test that takes into account language-specific as well as visual and functional aspects to ensure the usability of the localised software." KERN AGcalisation test that takes into account language-specific as well as visual and functional aspects to ensure the usability of the localised software." KERN AG

English is the undisputed number one lingua franca, but not every employee has the necessary language skills for day-to-day business. In the digital construction industry, not only specialised topics but also the use of complex software require a high level of language skills. However, according to a joint study by the Cambridge English and Quacquarelli Symonds Institutes, an average of 40 per cent of employees across all countries and company sizes have knowledge gaps in English. The international education company Education First assesses English language skills in 100 countries, with France, Italy, Spain and Russia only ranking in the middle. Because there is more or less a gap between requirements and reality in terms of language skills and even the best software application is useless if it is not understood correctly, our customers are now being given the opportunity to improve their language skills:

mydocma construction software in 9 languages

We have eliminated the language barrier and made our digital solutions for defect, image and form management as well as for construction and fire protection documentation multilingual. To enable construction companies outside German and English-speaking countries, teams with mixed nationalities or companies in international business to use our software and apps successfully, the mydocma modules RP, MM, PX and AP are available in German and English as well as Spanish, Italian, French, Russian, Polish, Czech and Slovakian*.

User interface in the local language

Advantages compared to foreign-language software:

More acceptance:

Employees have fewer reservations about software in their native language.

Higher working speed:

Users can navigate through digital solutions faster without the need for translation.

Higher quality output:

Fewer input and user errors occur due to misunderstood user dialogues.

Easier implementation:

Software products that are customised to the target market can be implemented more quickly and cost-effectively in day-to-day operations, as companies save time and money on training to improve language comprehension.

Greater market flexibility:

The free choice of languages gives entrepreneurs more room for manoeuvre when expanding and recruiting personnel.

Maximum customisation:

Units of measurement, address and date formats, currency, use of characters, upper and lower case etc. – localised software is tailored to the target country in all respects.

Never lost in translation

When designing our mydocma platform, we place great emphasis on usability. As a central component, we have positioned the buttons in the flag design in the menu bar so that the language selection can be made quickly and conveniently. Companies that use our construction software do not have to decide in advance – each user can set their preferred language themselves with just one click.

Software localisation – native, industry and corporate language

Instead of relying on computer-aided translation tools like some digitisation companies, we relied on the linguistic and technical expertise of KERN AG’s team of interpreters specialising in Software localisations. Whether screen dialogues, menus, labels, help texts, error messages, notes, … – experienced native speakers with IT knowledge have translated our solutions from German into a total of 8 languages. Unlike with machine translation, we can thus ensure that the interface texts are translated correctly, are in the right context, the technical terminology is taken into account and our corporate language is maintained. Because word and sentence lengths can vary greatly depending on the country, the translation of the foreign-language phrases was customised by the experts for our systems. With each of our software updates, new and modified content is of course incorporated and harmonised in all language versions.

Win-win situation: Satisfied customers – new sales markets

Offering software in the target group’s native language undoubtedly increases market opportunities, as there are no language-related barriers to overcome. By making it easier for different nationalities to access our digital construction solutions, we open up new sales markets, increase our brand awareness and improve customer satisfaction on a global level. The easier it is for the target market to understand the user interface of a software product, the more economical it is for both sides: Users can work faster and with fewer errors, which reduces the effort required for our customer support. Despite the coronavirus crisis, demand for high-performance construction software is high in Europe – most companies’ order books are still full and the trend towards digitalisation continues unabated.

*Applies to mydocma MM desktop solution, the other modules will follow from 5/2021.