Global Ebook Outsourcing: A Primer - Page 5 of 7

"Within the STM space, most of these people that are publishing are renowned experts, and they're working with world-class leaders, whether it's in chemistry, biology, legal matters, financial matters," says SPi's Sullivan. "You can't just edit the English language and then produce something. You have to really understand chemistry molecules, breakdowns, formulas. You have to really understand everything you're touching if you want to move up that value chain. Within the STM world, if you want to help your client company grow, you have to invest in Ph.D. chemists, you have to invest in top legal talent, you have to invest in global financial talent. … We're like the 'Intel Within,' we're trying to be the power within our client base. "

Breaking Down Language Barriers

With the rise of e-content comes the ability to zap your content around the planet instantly. And with that will come a growing need to convert your content into the languages spoken in those far-off corners of the globe. While you might put straight-up conversions in the hands of a small, fly-by-night outfit, translation, like other strategic arrangements, requires a higher level of trust and expertise.

"We are doing a lot of work in Spanish and French. We are also beginning to see Portuguese and German," says Panchanathan. "We also have started working in Italian and Turkish, and even did some work … in Latin.

"When it comes to Chinese and Japanese, we get the work done through partners, we don't do it ourselves," explains Panchanathan. "We have not yet entered into those markets. But we are planning to get into them. It's on the road map."