What is Translation Management System (TMS)?
It helps to organize the localization workflow, track the progress of translation projects and reduce manual tasks via automation.
Translation management systems usually include three main components:
- CAT tool (Computer Assisted Translation)
- Workflow automation tools
- Project management & administration
Why the translation management system is becoming a must in the translation and localization industry?
Translation management systems introduce translation agencies and their esteemed clientele to a wide selection of benefits that ensure a job well done. Some of these benefits include the following:
- Cost reduction:
Evidently, machines are always the best option when it comes to expenses as humans are hired with continuous salaries and a lot of companying financial burdens. As a result, business owners tend to the use of machines in translation which results in reducing the number of human translators and save money.
- Well utilized administrative:
An efficient and professional company is marked with how utilized and organized the human resources stuff is. One of the main options of achieving this policy is depending on using a translation system which will help you in saving the effort of your employees and the invested money.
- Achieving the best quality:
It should be noted that the accuracy of translation is a must. All the clients are seeking the best quality out of work and this is a real burden on the translators. There are some fields of translation in which errors are never accepted, thus a translation management system is one of the best options of making it easier to detect and correct errors, saving you from liabilities.
- Workflow Automation
As previously mentioned, translation management systems involve using workflow automation tools. Such tools simplify the assignment of tasks, progress tracking, routing files, reviewing them, and eventually approving them after confirming they are ready to use. These tools cut down on manual intervention and improve efficiency, which in turn reduces the likelihood of error.
- Translation Memory
A translation memory is a feature that comes with integrating CAT tools, or Computer-Assisted Tools. Translation memories are databases that store segments of previous translations. Thus, by relying on them, translators significantly reduce the time needed to tackle similar projects, especially large ones, and ensure consistency with industry-specific terminology.
- Project Management
Project management tools allow project managers to easily plan, track, and monitor translation projects. This ensures projects remain on schedule to meet the agreed-upon deadline and that the translation and localization service will remain within budget.
In conclusion, no one could ever deny how technology is making our life better. The translation management system is one of the technological inventions that is signaling a turning point in the translation and localization industry.
How Do Translation Agencies Decide on the Right Translation Management System?
Choosing a suitable translation management system requires an understanding of your specific needs as an organization. A TMS that works for one type of translation and localization service, for example, may not work for the other.
Here are some key considerations:
- Assess Your Needs
Let us say that you are working on a technical translation or localization service project. In this case, you will need a translation management system that can handle specialized terminology as well as a wide range of file formats used in technical documentation.
By knowing what you need exactly, it should be easier for you to choose the perfect TMS for the task.
- User-Friendliness
At Europe Localize, we believe that the more user-friendly your translation management system is, the easier your job will be. TMSs that feature clear interfaces and allow users to quickly grasp and navigate the system undoubtedly yield better results.
- Ease of Integration
Your translation agency surely needs a translation management system that can easily integrate with your existing systems. This includes content management systems, customer relationship management platforms, and CAT tools.
This is extremely crucial to ensure a streamlined working process.
- Cost
Nothing too pricy is ever good for business. This is why you should carefully consider what a TMS will cost you and compare all the pricing models to find one that fits your budget.
Types of Translation Management Systems (TMSs)
Not all translation and localization service management systems come in the same variety. There are several types to ensure that users with different needs are effectively accommodated.
Here are the main categories of translation management systems:
- Cloud-Based Translation Management Systems
As indicated by the name, cloud-based TMSs are hosted on remote servers and can only be accessed by using the Internet.
This type of TMS offers flexibility as a translation agency’s workers can easily access it from various places and use it on multiple devices.
They also facilitate real-time collaboration among translators, reviewers, and project managers, which ensures an accelerated project delivery.
Cloud-based translation management systems provide high-security solutions through data encryption and other security protocols implemented by the provider.
This type is suitable for use by a wide range of people, including freelance translators, translation agencies, and enterprises that need flexible translation and localization solutions.
- On-Premises Translation Management Systems
On-prem TMS is a software tool that is used locally rather than remotely.
Unlike cloud-based TMS, most on-prem TMSs are paid and require upfront investment.
On-prem TMSs ideally demand annual or periodic payment to maintain access to the software, updates, and other support services.
Despite their many inconveniences when it comes to financial aspects, on-prem TMSs allow the translation agency or organization to have full control over data and security.
They are also easier to customize based on the company’s specific organizational requirements, internal policies, and regulations.
On-premises translation management systems are ideal for large enterprises that demand strict data security and governmental institutions that prefer on-site infrastructure control.
- Hybrid Translation Management Systems
Hybrid translation management solutions bring the best of both worlds to their target audience.
They allow companies to store some data locally while making use of cloud-based benefits for scalability and real-time collaboration.
Hybrid translation management systems are useful for translation and localization services that require seamless integration with on-premises and cloud-based systems for better data management.
Such translation management systems target organizations that are looking for a balanced experience that offers data security, compliance, and the benefits of cloud-based solutions.
- Open-Source Translation Management Systems
Open-source TMSs offer full control over how you want to manage your translation and localization service like no other TMS.
As a business owner, you get access to a source code that can be freely modified and redistributed based on your needs.
They offer maximized flexibility, better customization options, and cost-effectiveness. However, they also need technical expertise for setup and maintenance.
They provide the best solution to organizations or translation agencies with technical knowledge and/or budget constraints.
Which Translation Management System Is Considered the Best?
There is no such thing as “the best” translation management system because some situations may demand using a TMS that is widely frowned upon in the industry.
In such cases, this TMS will be considered the best since it suits your needs.
However, there are still many translation management systems that are quite popular among translation and localization service providers. Some of those include the following:
- SDL Trados Studio
SDL Trados Studio is one of the most, if not the most, favorable on-premises translation management systems in the translation industry.
Many translation agencies rely on its versatile and feature-packed kit to deliver best-in-class translation and localization services, including glossary translation services, website localization services, and traditional document translation services, just to name a few.
It features advanced translation memories, integrated terminology management, real-time collaboration tools, sophisticated quality assurance, and strong support for a variety of file formats.
- MemoQ
This jack of all trades is for translation agencies, freelance translators, and corporate localization teams that need a cloud-based translation management solution with some on-prem features.
It offers organizations a choice to deploy MemoQ on their own servers or private cloud infrastructure to maintain control over their data.
It supports seamless integration with on-premises systems, such as content management systems, enterprise resource planning systems, and many others.
This allows organizations to leverage MemoQ’s translation management capabilities while making use of their own infrastructure.
- Smartcat
Smartcat is yet another cloud-based translation management system that offers its target audience some unique features.
In addition to the usual staples that one can find in a TMS, such as translation memories, CAT tools integration, and collaboration tools, Smartcat introduces a community marketplace to its users.
This feature allows freelancing translators to look and apply for projects posted by clients online.
It also offers a freemium pricing model that gives users access to basic features free of charge. This makes it much more accessible to freelancers and small teams with budget limitations as it eliminates any initial cost barrier.
While there are many other effective TMSs, such as Phrase, Transifex, Crowdin, and Lokalise, those previously mentioned three represent the most used in the translation domain.
Europe Localize: the Best Translation Service Provider across 125 Countries
Europe Localize is a pioneering, Europe-based translation agency that offers translation and localization services to all industries in as many as 125 countries.
We have been in the translation and localization industry for over a decade, delivering best-in-class solutions at reduced costs.
We have more than 62K language professionals and subject-matter experts who possess extensive knowledge and understanding of many translation management systems, facilitating your global emergence by using cutting-edge solutions.
Our translation agency has access to the most advanced TMSs, including SDL Trados Studio, Smartcat, MemoQ, Lokalise, and more.
This allows us to better customize our translation and localization service to meet your specific needs and ensure the most optimal results in any project.
Whether you need glossary translation services, document translation services, website localization services, or software localization services, request Europe Localize’s help today and receive a free quote for your next project abroad.
