Localization of Medical Software Products

Developers of medical imaging systems and imaging software are often required to localize the software graphic user interface (GUI) and user documentation (manuals, on-line help) into the local language. Even if not a regulatory requirement, localizing medical imaging software is often a barrier of entry to a specific country or market.

Localization of software, otherwise known as L10N, refers to the process of making it ready for a specific market. This involves translation and adaptation of the software to suit a foreign culture. There are software tools used in the localization process to facilitate this process, which can be quite time consuming and costly. These tools are commonly referred to as computer aided translation (CAT) tools.