Translation Management Systems: What You Need to Know

Last Updated January 7, 2020

translation management systems

Overcome obstacles by using a translation management system (TMS), which ensures both terminological consistency and data security.

Most companies focus on optimizing processes and costs. For this reason, more and more companies, especially those operating globally, outsource their translation work.

But the larger the project, the more difficult it is to coordinate, and the more time it takes to complete.

Quick and efficient translation management is the bread and butter of many companies. Many global companies, for example, provide help desk support in dozens of languages to clients around the word. They expect almost immediate and, most importantly, helpful answers to their inquiries.

It’s for these types of projects that we introduce a translation management system (TMS).

When you need fast and consistent translations into different languages, there’s no better solution.

How do Translation Management Systems work?

A TMS enables the quick translation of content in many languages while automating many processes.

Imagine a solution that facilitates the work of a project manager, translation office, independent translators, reviewers, and proofreaders. It’s a central tool that provides access to all translation functions and quality management of a project.

TMS systems have an open architecture, which ensures their easy scalability.

Additionally, a TMS integrates third-party systems, typically with a user interface to help manage content. This creates a continuous supply chain with easy data flow.

Translation Memory

Content management isn’t the only benefit of TMS, though. More importantly, it contains a translation base.

This base, called a translation memory, stores data on terminology and specialized vocabulary that’s easily accessible by translation specialists.

In practice, this means that previously made translations are stored in one central translation memory, and each completed translation is the basis for subsequent projects.

If similar content appears in the future, the translator can apply or customize the translation work that was done previously. This saves time, and therefore, money.

Translation memory is also a way to maintain consistency in your multilingual corporate communications even when your translators may not be in communication with each other.

Every translator on the project will use one specific set of terminology taken from the database. This consistency helps to build the brand’s image and the customer’s trust.

The database can also be supplied with data or integrated with CMS or CRM systems. For example, you could import a spreadsheet of particular terminology from an Excel file.

Smart Style Translation

The translation management system is like a virtual command center.

It has a project management module, which makes it easier to add users to the project and supervise its progress. And it also eliminates lots of manual tasks—for example, sending files or comments by email.

Everything you need is all in one place.

Quality control also plays a vital role in this system because it allows specifying quality criteria, like using specific text formatting or consistent terminology.

An interpreter working on a given translation is therefore notified about any errors before even finishing the task.

Thanks to this, it’s possible to avoid not only minor slips, but also serious mistakes that could have consequences for the entire enterprise.

To learn more about how Summa Linguae Technologies can support your translation efforts, check out our Translation Management Systems.

Related Posts

Summa Linguae uses cookies to allow us to better understand how the site is used. By continuing to use this site, you consent to this policy.

Learn More