Internationalizing a Multi-Layered Application Suite with Concurrent Development
A Case Study Discussing Internationalization for Copyright Clearance Center’s RightsLink Customer Application
Internationalization Issues
Operating on a tight deadline, Copyright Clearance Center (CCC) had to implement internationalization while other teams were developing parts of their German customer’s application. This business and development plan is not unusual, as rarely can a development team focus entirely on internationalization rather than developing new features, and execute for a tight deadline. CCC’s code base was complex and their application suite was developed for needs of customers over time. It used different technologies across modules, leading to unique internationalization challenges, including:
- Different applications developed by various teams and styles.
- Architect’s differing ways of handling database requests, configurability, string handling, and other operations.
- Implementing internationalization into concurrent development work.
- Configuration standards specific to applications.
Business Case
CCC’s RightsLink solution simplifies the licensing of content that allows businesses and academic institutions to quickly get permission to use copyright-protected materials – all while compensating publishers and content creators for the use of their works.
Since its founding in 1978, CCC had predominantly worked with publishers in the United States. In a major foray into the international markets, CCC was able to sign on a key German consortium of publishers and was soon confronted with internationalizing and localizing its RightsLink customer facing application for Germany and other potential locales.
Why Lingoport?
After evaluating a number of internationalization providers, CCC engaged with Lingoport for an initial internationalization assessment. Lingoport used both static analysis of RightsLink source code using Globalyzer—Lingoport’s enterprise internationalization system—and architectural analysis of internationalization requirements and development planning.
CCC recognized that Lingoport’s expert i18n engineering staff would be a great asset working under release pressure to deliver a quality internationalized product.
The Lingoport Solution
CCC chose a hybrid i18n implementation solution and worked hand-in-hand with Lingoport’s engineering team. Tasks included i18n design, development and quality assurance based on agile methodology, with four sprints of four weeks each.
The internationalization included Unicode enabling of JSP pages to string externalization and JQuery date picker. JIRA was used to assign tasks in an agile approach.
Internationalization and Risk
Internationalization is its own development specialty. Expertise and experience count when identifying potential issues, planning for new markets, designing approaches and implementation solutions. Furthermore, potential delays and surprise costs are highly disruptive to business agreements and new customer relationships, potentially also dragging the development team from other core project development.
Successful Release
The internationalization effort for CCC’s Germany based customer was successful, on time, on budget and very well received. John Boyea, a Principal Engineer at CCC, commended Lingoport’s efforts, saying, “You have it all wrong. It is I, who should be thanking you. We asked you to work under difficult circumstances, with very aggressive goals and limited resources. Linda Lawson (Lingoport’s Engineering Lead) met or exceeded my expectations in every regard. The same for Olivier Libouban (Lingoport’s Globalization Lead). We simply would not have had the success we have had to date without the two of you. So I thank you both for that very much. On a personal note I enjoyed working with the both of you as well. I feel I got to know you in some limited way and for that I am grateful. Best wishes on your future endeavors.”
About Copyright Clearance Center Rightslink
Copyright Clearance Center, Inc. (CCC), a not-for-profit organization, is a leading provider of collective copyright licensing services for corporate and academic users of copyrighted materials. The company procures agreements with rightsholders, primarily text publishers and authors for print and online, and also acts as agent for them. For additional information, please visit their website.
Next Steps
We have found that every internationalization effort has its own business needs and technical requirements, best served by getting started with a conversation. Contact Lingoport by email at info@lingoport.com or call +1 303 444 8020 to arrange a consultative discussion.
