SDL announced that it helped Philips simultaneously launch new product marketing communications materials (Web site, collateral, etc) in 29 languages using SDL software and services.

I've only just skimmed the new site but it does appear to be an improvement and I'm pleased to see a global gateway splash page included (shown below).

I'll have a full review of the site shortly. Here is the SDL press release:

SDL International, the world's leading provider of translation services and technology solutions, announced today that Philips Consumer Electronics, a division of Royal Philips Electronics, has successfully launched new product marketing communication materials simultaneously in 29 languages using SDLWorkFlow 2004 and SDL translation services.

SDLWorkFlow 2004 integrates with Philips XML-based authoring, content management systems to automate product marketing translation management, ensure maximum re-use of translation assets and enable rapid translation of any type of content. This includes product leaflets, website and call center support documentation, with translation overhead reduced 85% and translation costs 35%. The increased automation of processes from authoring to publication has enabled the simultaneous launch of consumer web catalogues in 29 languages in support of Philips' new "sense and simplicity" marketing campaign.

"Our new 'sense and simplicity' campaign is one of the most significant marketing investments ever made by Philips," commented Luuk de Jager, Senior Manager for Global Content Management at Philips Consumer Electronics. "By concurrently launching in 29 languages we are able to reinforce our global brand, communicate consistently with our customers wherever they are located and achieve economies of scale in our product, marketing and e-business operations. This has provided our customers with immediate access to appropriate product literature. We could not have achieved this without our strategic language technology and services partnership with SDL."

"Philips is leading the industry in utilizing XML-based technology to improve its product and marketing communications processes," said Terry Lawlor, Vice President Worldwide Marketing at SDL International. "Our software, consultancy and language services have helped Philips reduce the cost of translation by over 30%, achieve faster time to market and creating consistent quality across multilingual business communications. The simultaneous launch in 29 languages would not have been possible without the advanced capabilities of SDLWorkFlow 2004 and the rapid turnaround, high quality translations from our services operations."