Training solutions for Microsoft and Novell products are now available in Zulu and Northern Sotho, with Xhosa translations due later.
Pretoria-based Internet company Intoweb Training released the first translated product - a Zulu translation of Novell GroupWise 6 - at the beginning of last year, but has since expanded its range.
"Translated products include Microsoft Suite, Microsoft 2000 and XP, as well as GroupWise 6 and 6.5," says Intoweb sales director Geoff Crewe-Brown.
He adds that Intoweb also carries out more specific training solutions when necessary. "We don`t just do generic software. We can do software that is specific to a company, and create a training solution - usually within three months."
The translations are included as part of Intoweb`s training solutions package, which is a Web-based, Internet-driven virtual help-desk. The translation work is done by Intoweb staff, with voice prompts recorded by local voiceover artists. The solution is expected to get ISETT SETA accreditation this year.
Though the demand is mainly for English solutions, Crewe-Brown still believes there is a need for translations into even more languages. "For a lot of people, English is not their primary language, which makes training a slow and difficult process."
He adds that the translated versions have been well received by local companies. "We have just completed an installation for SAB, who are excited about the Northern Sotho and Zulu translations, as they have a large contingent of non-English workers."
CSIR customer services manager Jackie Leach says the translations are useful to the technology and research organisation. "We are using Novell GroupWise, which is available to all our staff. The Zulu translation is beneficial to us as we have a large complement of Zulu-speaking staff, so, from a CSIR perspective, there was a need for the translations."
Looking to the future, Crewe-Brown says plans to translate the programs into Xhosa are being finalised. "Intoweb has identified a Xhosa translator, and we are in the process of negotiating." He also hinted at possible Setswana translations in the future.
Pricing for the training solutions varies from R50 to R350 a year per user, along with a once-off installation fee of R7 500.
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