Interprospectives: Growing Interpro in 1999 with John Greenwood

John Greenwood’s story recounts how early software and translation collaborations in the 1980s laid the groundwork for the early years after Interpro’s founding in 1995 (Back then the “P” of “InterPro” was capitalized because it was short for International Professionals). Through a blend of technical innovation, client-focused service, and a commitment to quality, the narrative highlights how Interpro evolved from marketing translation tools to becoming a trusted full-service language solutions provider with a global reach and unwavering dedication to getting it “right on time, the first time”.

The Pre-Interpro Years: A Foundation in Software and Translation

In the late 1970s and 80s, I designed and managed development of international business software for several companies.

Some Dutch people I worked with started Seagull Software in the Netherlands to market IBM midrange (AS/400, later iSeries and System i) business software that had been developed by a German company.  Needing to translate the extensive user interface from German into Dutch, they developed a utility that allowed translators to work with stand-alone PCs without being attached to AS/400’s.

Realizing they had a marketable product (Text Translation Tool, TTT), they asked me to market it in the United States.

Knowing nothing whatsoever about AS/400’s, I attended a locally held AS/400 seminar and was somewhat disappointed that it was run not by IBM, but by System Software Associates (SSA), also a developer of AS/400 business software.  At the end of the seminar, I asked one of the speakers if SSA had an international presence.  Indeed they did, and I was given the name of SSA’s Translation Manager, Ralph Strozza (that was easy!). 

From SSA to the Birth of Interpro Translation Solutions

I also discovered that SSA was a major player in the AS/400 world. I contacted Ralph who, as it turned out, was looking for a translation product to replace the internally developed software that SSA had been using.  So at the end of 1991, SSA became the first TTT customer in the United States and placed not only the first, but the largest, single TTT order I ever took!

Getting to know other AS/400 developers was relatively easy – there were 2 or 3 magazines for the AS/400 community, plus an annual trade show (COMMON) attended by most AS/400 developers (little or no internet in those early days!).  I spent almost 10 years marketing TTT to them and I believe I was Seagull’s top TTT revenue generator.

In 1995, Ralph left SSA and started Interpro Translation Solutions and soon became a TTT user to help secure AS/400 translation as a service business.

Still working with TTT, I also steered clients who did not have in-house translators to Interpro and when my stint at Seagull ended, it was a natural transition to join Interpro.  I worked for Ralph, selling and marketing Interpro’s services from 1999 until my retirement in 2014.

A legacy of innovation and global impact: John Greenwood’s journey reflects the company’s deep roots in software and translation. This collection of press and business coverage highlights key milestones in Interpro’s evolution, from pioneering translation tools to delivering multilingual services worldwide.

The Early Days: A Home Office Pioneer and Global Sales Reach

I worked from home near San Diego having already set up a dedicated home office there in 1987.  So I guess I was a pioneer WFH employee almost 35 years before COVID forced it to be a norm!  We had built our house and horse ranch where Stephanie, my wife, ran a successful riding school for 25 years.  She was out with the horses by 6 am and so I also started work early, which made it very convenient to contact clients around the world – Europe in the early morning, then the USA East Coast, gradually moving my calls in a westerly direction.  Working from home also made it easier to handle clients on the other side of the world in my late evening.

I was able to capitalize on my AS/400 client contacts and knowledge to bring them to Interpro.  But whilst TTT focused on AS/400 user interface translation, Interpro offered translation services for any platform, including documentation and marketing materials which significantly expanded my opportunities.  And that soon expanded into website, e-commerce and multi-media translation and interpretation services – and since I retired, Artificial Intelligence translation solutions.

Looking Back with Gratitude

A conversation that sparked a partnership: John Greenwood and Ralph Strozza in the early days of Interpro Translation Solutions.

What was so good about working for Interpro was everybody’s determination to “get it right on time, the first time”.  And they really did!  Their methodology, from glossary development to translation, to quality assurance really works.  As a sales guy, I did not have to spend time resolving client issues.  And it made it a very pleasurable experience working with clients who were, at minimum, happy with our services!

Congratulations on 30 years in business, Interpro!

See More Behind-the-Scenes Stories from Interpro

Discover more stories like John’s as we look back over Interpro’s history supporting translation goals around the world. 

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