When you think about localization technology, your mind probably jumps to translation management systems (TMSs), CAT tools, or maybe flashy new AI features. But if there’s one piece of the puzzle that quietly makes the whole engine run smoother, it’s middleware.
In a recent episode of The Agile Localization Podcast, host Stefan Huyghe sat down with Istvan Lengyel, Founder and CEO of BeLazy, to unpack why middleware is moving from an afterthought to a must-have for modern localization.
They dive into real-world insights on how middleware is democratizing access to scalable integrations, giving smaller LSPs the same power as industry giants, and why middleware might just become your single source of truth.
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The Problem with “One System to Rule Them All”
Istvan kicks off with a simple but powerful analogy: in the early days, companies looked for a single system to handle everything, the “Mac approach” to localization. It was neat, reliable, and simple, but also restrictive when needs changed.
"Middleware has been overlooked because in localization technology, people were looking for the one system to use, and I think that it’s becoming more relevant because these days, it’s not so much the one system.
Today’s localization ecosystem is a mix of CMSs, marketing automation platforms, project management tools, TMSs, and more, all of which need to talk to each other. That’s where middleware steps in.
Middleware: The Bridge, the Brain, and the Backup
What exactly is middleware in this context? Think of it as the invisible layer that bridges content platforms and TMSs, orchestrates workflows, and makes sure nothing falls through the cracks.
Istvan outlines three essential traits of good middleware:
- Scalability: it’s built for production, not just experimentation.
- Error Handling: because in the real world, things break.
- Unified Configuration: so teams don’t need to learn every system they connect to.
A great example? Crowdin itself acts as a middleware with a huge library of connectors, giving even small teams a unified way to plug into their content systems and keep translation flowing smoothly.
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Solving the Real-World Chaos
Istvan’s company, BeLazy, takes this a step further. Its focus is on the business management layer, the part that no one wants to think about but everyone needs: dashboards, reports, vendor rules, and quality tracking across multiple systems.
As Istvan puts it, “People forget they’re working with people. TMSs have some reporting, but not enough when you have very specific vendor agreements or complex workflows.”
By handling orchestration and normalization, middleware makes data comparable and useful for reporting. Suddenly, decision-making stops being guesswork and starts being strategic.
A Level Playing Field for Small LSPs
One of the biggest takeaways from Istvan’s perspective is how middleware levels the playing field. In the past, only huge LSPs with big budgets could afford customer integrations. Now, small LSPs can tap into tools like Crowdin and BeLazy to create contactless, end-to-end workflows that can compete with what giants like Lionbridge are doing.
This is what democratization really looks like, not just cheaper software but smarter, flexible ecosystems that let anyone plug in the best-fit tools, connect them in smart ways, and automate the boring bits.
Integration vs. Reinvention: The Real Cost
Why not just build a shiny, all-in-one end-to-end system instead? Istvan breaks it down: “Reinventing an end-to-end system comes with big headaches: migration, completeness, scope. Integration is always a business problem, not a technical one.”
In other words, integration lets you keep what works, plug in new tools as needed, and avoid lock-in. But he’s quick to note that the ROI conversation shouldn’t stop at upfront costs. Teams need to think about the total cost of ownership, especially as APIs and SaaS fees stack up. A smart middleware approach means teams stay agile without being held hostage by any single tool.
Middleware and AI: Better Together?
What about the AI? Istvan’s take is refreshingly realistic: “AI depends on good data, and localization is still missing a lot of good data.”
Still, the potential is there. BeLazy is already using AI in its Email Assistant module to automatically read project intake emails and extract details for project creation. Down the line, Istvan sees AI helping orchestrate more complex, exception-based workflows, especially when combined with well-structured metadata.
And it goes beyond translation. As orchestration layers get smarter, AI could optimize routing, identify bottlenecks, or flag unusual patterns across systems, all while middleware keeps the pipes flowing.
Final Thoughts From Istvan
Middleware might not be the flashiest part of your localization stack, but it’s what holds the whole operation together. It’s what lets you scale without losing your mind, plug in new tech as it comes along, and give small teams the same superpowers as the giants.
So, if you’re serious about building a flexible, future-proof localization ecosystem, and you want to spend less time patching spreadsheets together and more time delivering value, take a page from Istvan’s playbook: invest in middleware. Because in a world where everything needs to connect, it’s the quiet bridge that wins every time.
Istvan’s Background
Istvan Lengyel is the Founder and CEO of BeLazy, a middleware solution provider specializing in localization technology integration. Istvan brings vast experience in translation management systems and a deep understanding of localization workflow optimization. Based in Spain, he has emerged as a leading voice in middleware solutions for the localization industry, focusing on creating seamless connections between content platforms and translation management systems.
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