When it comes to selecting Translation Management Systems, there are many choices on the market; from a glance of them, they all seem to provide the features that a Language Service Provider desires, and most of them have free trials. I am a visual person so I focus more on the user interface and how easy it takes me to get used to the functions of each software. In the past several months, I have used mainly WorldServer and explored XTM Cloud very thoroughly. Thus, in this blog, I hope to demonstrate my personal experience in exploring the following two different TMSs, and how easy I get used to discover different functions.
WorldServer (CLICK HERE to watch the video)
Developed by SDL, used by more than 200 companies, WorldServer has a complete set of toolkit for LSPs to accomplish the tasks from linguistic, human resource, to financial/business perspectives.
PROs:
- Extensive functionality & Room for customization in Translation Memory, Term Database, Filter, Quality, and user settings (Linguists, Project Managers, Clients), Workflow and Cost Models.
- Strong Linkage among various functions:
- Great for large companies that have large amounts of similar types of projects or have returning/long-term clients
- Great for small LSPs that have employees wear same hats in many projects
- Upper right corner shows the pathway of each functions in a clear manner.
- Personally, I love the Term Database Management page. Very straightforward, easy to search, and simple to expand.
CONs:
- User Interface is relatively outdated comparing to many newcomers in TMS industry.
- For new users of WorldServer, many hours will be spent on trials and errors to explore and find the suitable functions.
- It is hard to tell which steps should be taken first in order to build a project. Trials and Errors will bring you the unique right answer that fits your working habit.
XTM Cloud (VIDEOs: 1. Project Management; 2. Linguists)
Developed by XTM international, XTM cloud supports both public and private cloud deployment model.
PROs
- Clean and Simple User Interface: self-explanatory for new users to learn.
- “Chat” function within TMS: From the first screenshot, you can see on the upper right corner, there’s a “chat” icon for users to pull other users to chat specifically on projects.
- Complex workflow builder
- Embedded Quality Control model DQF/MQM
CONs
- Some functions are hidden in “Setting” (a small icon on the upper right corner of the page)
- More costly than its competitors
Additional Resources:
In our class we had a chance to learn from the team of Translations.com on their TMS, GlobalLink. I do not have any chance to put my hands on this tool yet, but through their demo, I look forward to exploring this tool since it has many features that I have never heard or used on other TMSs.
- Continuing Localization Process
- Supporting most Content Management Systems
- Proxy-available
- Real-time demonstration (support doc/docx, photoshop file formats, etc. )
Nimdzi
This organization is founded by Renato Beninatto and Tucker Johnson, a great resource on news and insights of localization industry. They evaluated many TMSs and here I attached the two evaluations on the topic of what I wrote today.