IBM and Vsource Team Up to Provide Multi-Language Support
Through an alliance between Vsource Inc. (Ventura, Calif.) and IBM, companies can purchase supplies, direct materials, capital goods and services over the Internet; and conduct e-commerce in a truly global environment with Vsource Virtual Source Network (VSN), now available with IBM's Web-based translation services.
The agreement between Vsource and IBM also includes IBM supportfor VSN through training, consulting and other services. The localization services provided by IBM initially include translation for seven major languages: German, Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese. Further languages will be added to VSN over time. Translation takes place directly over the Internet, so users can view information in the desired local language.
"Demand for localization services is increasing as the Internet'sreach grows," says Bill Blunt, engagement manager, IBM GlobalServices. "As a global company with extensive Web experience, IBM was the logical choice to deliver the VSN solution."
VSN enables electronic processing via a Web-based interface for information, proposal and quote requests, as well as other procurement documents. That makes it possible for any number of suppliers to review the documents, check specifications, ask questions and get clarification from buyers, then ultimately bid on the requests.
"The 'e' in e-commerce does not have to mean English. Purchasing functions for multinational corporations span continents, languages and timezones by nature, and we're meeting this need,” says Robert "Jay" McShirley, chairman and chief executive officer of Vsource. “Vsource can expand a single-language transaction into several languages on the fly and allow purchasing managers to communicate on the same purchase order over the Internet worldwide," says McShirley.