Bridging Borders, Healing Worlds: Drupal Translation and Localization of a Med Tech website

The Challenge:

In a recent project for a leading MedTech company, the primary challenge was the extensive translation of thousands of pages from English to Chinese, coupled with the setup of hosting infrastructure within China. Additionally, the project required ongoing support for legacy systems.

1. Translation: The translation aspect presented a significant undertaking due to the volume of content involved. The nature of MedTech materials demanded meticulous translation to accurately convey complex medical and technical information. This included product documentation, user manuals, and marketing materials, necessitating a nuanced understanding of both English and Chinese languages, particularly within the specialized medical context.

2. Hosting in China: Setting up hosting within China introduced additional complexities due to the country's unique internet regulations and the Great Firewall. Compliance with local laws and regulations was paramount. It involved navigating through technical, legal, and logistical challenges to ensure the website's accessibility, performance, and data security while adhering to China's stringent hosting requirements.

3. Legacy Support: Moreover, the project required ongoing support for legacy systems. This involved maintaining the functionality and security of existing technologies while integrating new translations and hosting infrastructure. Balancing the needs of legacy systems with the demands of modernization presented a delicate challenge.

The Solution:

Addressing the challenges of this MedTech project demanded a strategic and comprehensive approach:

1. Translation Management: A meticulous translation management plan was devised, involving collaboration with professional translators who possessed both linguistic proficiency and a deep understanding of the MedTech domain. Translation tools were utilized to enhance consistency and efficiency across the vast volume of content.

2. Hosting Infrastructure in China: To ensure compliance and optimal performance, a hosting infrastructure was set up within China. This involved selecting suitable data centers, configuring servers, and implementing content delivery networks (CDNs) to enhance accessibility and speed for users in the region.

3. Compliance with Local Regulations: Strict adherence to local laws and regulations was ensured throughout the hosting setup. This included obtaining necessary licenses, implementing cybersecurity measures, and complying with content restrictions.

4. Legacy System Support: Legacy systems were carefully maintained, with updates implemented to accommodate the new translations and the hosting infrastructure changes. A phased approach was taken to minimize disruptions, ensuring a smooth transition while preserving the integrity of existing technologies.

5. Ongoing Monitoring and Support: Continuous monitoring of the hosting infrastructure and regular updates to the translated content were instituted. A support framework was established to promptly address any issues that might arise with the legacy systems or the new setup.

In summary, this project demanded a harmonious integration of translation expertise, localization strategies, compliance with regulations, and a nuanced understanding of legacy systems. The successful execution of these components ensured a seamless transition for the MedTech company, enabling them to effectively communicate their offerings to a Chinese audience while maintaining the reliability and security of their systems.