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SDL Buys Idiom: The Market Reacts
 
Keywords
translation management, acquisition, SDL, Idiom, translation software, integration, WorldServer, TMS, Trados

Abstract
On 11 February 2008 U.K.-based SDL plc announced it had purchased U.S. software developer Idiom Technologies, Inc. Idiom was the industry's largest and most recognizable independent software vendor (ISP) since SDL acquired Trados, the then most recognized software maker in language technology, in 2005. We polled corporate translation buyers, LSPs, and software competitors to see how they viewed the transaction. This report gives the hard data, as well as verbatim write-in comments offering anti-competitive arguments, distrust of SDL, and vitriolic remarks against Idiom, as well as contrarian perspectives with a more positive spin.

Physical Details
Authors: Donald A. DePalma, Benjamin B. Sargent, and Renato S. Beninatto
Date: 20 February 2008
ISBN: 978-1-933555-50-8
Pages: 18

Companies
Elanex, Idiom, Lionbridge, Moravia, Passolo, Sajan, SDL, thebigword, Trados, Translations.com, Transware, Welocalize

Table of Contents
  • Topic
  • Survey Data
    • Reaction to Idiom’s Demise Ranges from Good to Bad to Indifferent
  • Reactions
    • Many Think that the Deal Is Anti-Competitive
    • Corporate Buyers and LSP Users Mistrust SDL’s Intentions
    • Many Idiom Buyers and Partners Feel Disappointed, Some Feel Betrayed
    • A Few Take a More Positive, Contrarian View
    • Some Other Things to Think About
  • Analysis
  • Figures
    • Figure 1: Market Reaction: Language Service Providers (n=60)
    • Figure 2: Market Reaction: Corporate Buyers (n=20)
    • Figure 3: Market Reaction: Rival Technology Suppliers (n=9)
  • Tables
    • Table 1: Geographic Distribution of Sample (n=106)
Paid Research - Membership Required
SDL Buys Idiom: The Market Reacts
 
Keywords
translation management, acquisition, SDL, Idiom, translation software, integration, WorldServer, TMS, Trados

Abstract
On 11 February 2008 U.K.-based SDL plc announced it had purchased U.S. software developer Idiom Technologies, Inc. Idiom was the industry's largest and most recognizable independent software vendor (ISP) since SDL acquired Trados, the then most recognized software maker in language technology, in 2005. We polled corporate translation buyers, LSPs, and software competitors to see how they viewed the transaction. This report gives the hard data, as well as verbatim write-in comments offering anti-competitive arguments, distrust of SDL, and vitriolic remarks against Idiom, as well as contrarian perspectives with a more positive spin.

Physical Details
Authors: Donald A. DePalma, Benjamin B. Sargent, and Renato S. Beninatto
Date: 20 February 2008
ISBN: 978-1-933555-50-8
Pages: 18

Companies
Elanex, Idiom, Lionbridge, Moravia, Passolo, Sajan, SDL, thebigword, Trados, Translations.com, Transware, Welocalize

Table of Contents
  • Topic
  • Survey Data
    • Reaction to Idiom’s Demise Ranges from Good to Bad to Indifferent
  • Reactions
    • Many Think that the Deal Is Anti-Competitive
    • Corporate Buyers and LSP Users Mistrust SDL’s Intentions
    • Many Idiom Buyers and Partners Feel Disappointed, Some Feel Betrayed
    • A Few Take a More Positive, Contrarian View
    • Some Other Things to Think About
  • Analysis
  • Figures
    • Figure 1: Market Reaction: Language Service Providers (n=60)
    • Figure 2: Market Reaction: Corporate Buyers (n=20)
    • Figure 3: Market Reaction: Rival Technology Suppliers (n=9)
  • Tables
    • Table 1: Geographic Distribution of Sample (n=106)