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  • User Interface is relatively outdated comparing to many newcomers in TMS industry.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:

GlobalLink

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.