Global network
smartspokes is different from many other translation agencies. We do not work with thousands of freelancers. We rely on 36 exclusive translation partners worldwide – which we coordinate centrally from Böblingen, near Stuttgart, in Germany’s industrial heartland. What does this mean for you?
You have one dedicated contact person for all languages. And a consistently high level of translation quality.
Native-speaking specialists
Our partners are located in the respective target country and employ salaried translators and proofreaders who are native speakers of the local language. This means your translation is produced in the specific country where it is needed – placing it in the best of hands.
Time-saving localization
Thanks to our global network, we can localize your e-learning content for multiple markets concurrently. That saves time and money. No matter how many languages you need or how ambitious your goals are – ask us about it.
Top quality
“Made in Germany” from Baden-Württemberg is renowned around the world for its quality. We are committed to upholding this reputation. A high-quality translation is easy to read, easy to understand, and not identifiable as a translation by the target audience. That is the standard we follow.
Custom-tailored
Customer-focused, proactive, creative – at smartspokes, we give you individual support. We develop a custom-tailored solution for each customer. That is our investment in a long-term working relationship.
Reliable
Whether it involves the international launch of a new product or the timely delivery for a crucial trade show, translation customers need one thing above all: reliability. We keep our promises. Guaranteed.
Why smart?
We changed our name to smartspokes in 2013. Why did we choose this name? With the term “smart”, we want to indicate that we have – or can find – a smart solution for every e-learning project.
Why spokes?
The spokes symbolize our global network of partners, as in the spokes of a wheel.
And why XTRA?
XTRA has stood for quality for more than two decades. That’s why we kept this trusted company name as the brand for our translations into German.
Stuttgart economic region
Our company is headquartered in Böblingen, south of Stuttgart, making us a neighbor of major corporations such as Daimler, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, and Philips.
Hub for software companies
The Böblinger Software Center in the Hulb industrial estate is also home to some 100 small and medium-sized software companies.
Where to find us
Would you like to discuss your e-learning project with us in person?
We look forward to your visit.
To map
1993-2001: XTRA translates for the IT sector
1993 Stefan Lampert founds XTRA Translation Services GbR, a partnership. His vision: offer a combination of translation and technology expertise to the IT sector. Major corporations soon discover this recipe for success. XTRA becomes a preferred supplier to IBM and HP for translations from English to German. Starting in 1999, IBM also hires XTRA for e‑learning projects for the German market.
2001-2012: XTRA goes multilingual
At the start of the new millennium, XTRA changes its company form to a GmbH, the German limited liability company, and begins to expand its language spectrum. The USP: XTRA relies on exclusive translation partners in other countries. This ensures that translations are of consistently high quality. Prominent IT corporations such as EMC, ORACLE, and SAP join the list of XTRA clients. The localization of e‑learning courses becomes an important mainstay: XTRA translates e-learning courses for Sony Ericsson into up to 29 languages, for example.
Since 2013: XTRA becomes smartspokes
As part of a tender for e-learning projects from IBM Global Services, Stefan Lampert decides to change the company form again: XTRA becomes SMARTSPOKES AG, an international partner network that is specialized in the translation of e‑learning courses. The business model proves attractive: smartspokes becomes a preferred partner to IBM for multilingual e‑learning projects. XTRA is retained as a brand for German translations.
