Explaining and comparing translation management systems | Translation
If you’re interested in finding out more on this topic, you can read our free guide on translation management systems, translation memory tools and computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools here: http://bit.ly/2sLyTAv
(This video was first published in January 2017.)
In this episode of The Translation Show, Emily MacKenzie from Webcertain talks about translation management systems.
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(00:12) What is a translation management system?
A translation management system, or a TMS, is an online system that accelerates the translation process by automating much of the project management process and integrating CAT tools, glossaries and translation memory into a central platform that can be accessed by clients, translators and language service providers.
Anyone who needs a lot of content translating should consider using a TMS.
This episode will examine the features of four major TMSs, their pros, cons and the types of businesses they’re most suited to. A lot of the features we will introduce are shared across all TMSs, however the performance and functionality of such features vary depending on the system in question.
Please note that this programme will be based purely on our experiences. The four TMSs covered are just the ones we have used; there are many others.
(01:11) Memsource.
Memsource supports over 50 different file types, which makes it a very versatile piece of software. When you create a job, the project management feature allows you to either assign the job to specific translators or post the job on Memsource’s job board. Once a translator has accepted your job, you can view their progress in real-time. Memsource offers translation memory management, whereby all previous translations are stored in a memory that can be updated in real-time. Translation memory management increases internal consistency and reduces costs, as translators will not need to re-translate already-translated pieces of content. Memsource also offers terminology management. Its glossary, or term base, is completely integrated into the workflow, which means that translators can access the glossary as they’re doing the translation. The glossary is searchable and can be updated in real-time. Memsource has several QA features built in to it. Once a translator has finished translating a piece of content, it automatically checks for spelling mistakes, missing terminology and inconsistencies in numbers. If a piece of content contains any of these errors, it will be flagged up with a warning so that you know it will probably require corrections.
Now that we’ve looked at Memsource’s features, let’s evaluate its pros and cons.
(2:37) Memsource pros.
(03:20) Memsource cons.
(04:17) SDL Worldserver.
SDL Worldserver offers translation memory management and terminology management. It also offers workflow customisation. This means that you can change the workflow for different kinds of translation, such as marketing material versus a technical document. You can designate subject experts to work on these different projects, so that you are always using the very best people for each job. SDL Worldserver has several QA features; translators can attach comments and questions to the content, so that quality can be maintained and improved as it moves between different translators and reviewers.
(05:00) SDL Worldserver pros.
(06:27) SDL Worldserver cons.
(07:33) Smartling.
Smartling offers translation memory management. It also offers workflow customisation, meaning that you can edit workflows for different projects. Smartling offers several QA features, for example you can integrate your glossary and style guide into your projects, so that translators can quickly and easily access these resources. Smartling also has reporting and analytics features, allowing you to see website traffic, for example, so that you can see how your translated content is performing.
(08:06) Smartling pros.
(08:56) Smartling cons.
(09:42) MemoQ.
MemoQ offers translation memory management, terminology management and workflow automation. It also has an automated QA feature – MemoQ automatically checks translations for punctuation, capitalisation and formatting errors, lack of translation consistency, the use of banned terms, the absence of any terms that should be included, number mismatches between the original and translated text, and possible errors caused by editing (or not editing) text automatically brought in by the translation memory.
(10:18) MemoQ pros.
(11:18) MemoQ cons.