Meeting the Challenges of Software Localization
As the world's second-largest software market, Japan represents a potential bonanza for foreign application developers. But localizing products for the demanding Japanese market is not an easy task, as many of the successful firms consulted for this article can attest.
by Coleman Yeaw
The Past, Present, and Future of Japanese
Software
In hardware, Japan is a world leader. But in software.... Why have
Japanese software developers failed to penetrate the world market? Why do
US giants like Microsoft continue to dominate Japan's domestic packaged
software market? John Boyd suggests that the answers are not as simple as
they might first appear.
by John Boyd
Multimedia and New Media Technology Clearance
Issues
Copyrighted materials represent a valuable source of content for your
next multimedia project. But unless you know the basics of the rights clearance
process -- what needs to be cleared and how to do it -- you risk anything
from a major cost-overrun to a day in court.
by Jill Alofs
Mondex Lays Its (Smart) Cards on the Table
Because Japanese financial institutions are notoriously conservative
(at least in everything except making unsecured loans to real estate developers),
electronic payment systems have seemed just an empty dream for Japanese
consumers. Or they did until Mondex came knocking, and opened some doors.
by Noriko Takezaki
Ne:s:pa--ISI Well's "Next Strategic
Paradigm"
From publishing solutions to multimedia and Internet answers, from
training to PC repair, Ne:s:pa's APC Solution Plaza has it all. President
Hasunuma discusses ISI Well's activities and vision.
by Wm. Auckerman
Bringing Electronic Commerce to Japan
Sapporo-based BUG Inc. has helped lay the groundwork for
electronic commerce technology in Japan. A leader in digital ID
certification through its BYSE subsidiary, BUG was the first company in
Japan to receive permission (in late 1995) to import
"industrial-strength" RSA Data Security software from the US.
by Steven Myers
Siemens Nixdorf: On the Move in the
Asia-Pacific
Siemens Nixdorf Informationssysteme, second-largest supplier to
the European IT market (trailing only IBM), is gearing up to become a
major player in the Asia-Pacific region. In February and March, we talked
with Axel Hass, SNI's Asia Pacific Regional Manager, and Heinz-Peter
Strömsdörfer, Siemens Nixdorf Japan Country Manager, about
developments in the Asian and Japanese IT markets.
by Wm. Auckerman
Internet TV: Surfing the Web Without a PC
Will we be checking our e-mail from a TV during commercials by Christmas?
Access Co. Ltd., a Tokyo-based network technologies development firm, has
been licensing its NetFront Internet software module to Japanese consumer
electronics manufacturers, and several plan to release Internet-capable
TVs before year-end.
by Noriko Takezaki
R&D Focus (6/96)
We visit the Ikeda lab at Chiba University
The Mac Chooser (6/96)
Getting software support in Japan
The Query Column (6/96)
The letter-size vs. A4 paper quandary and a dot-matrix lament
The Digital Forest (6/96)
Japanese Internet providers, Yahoo, and more
The Help Desk (6/96)
Installing Win95E and Win95J with System Commander
Industry Eye (6/96)
Reports on the stand-alone PC's death are premature
