Old-school translation agencies vs. an online translation platform

Let's start by defining what a translation agency is, as the online translation platform is the digital evolution of the traditional agency.

A translation agency is a company that receives files in one language and delivers them, translated into one or more languages, to the client.

Most translation agencies includes both project managers and translators. Project managers are responsible for preparing quotes for translations, sending projects to translators, monitoring projects and maintaining contact with clients.

As translation agencies grow, they have more staff in all areas of support, including, among others, management of accounts, of quality suppliers, technology, the legal area and any other equipment that can add value to the overall mission of offering quality translations.

The most technologically developed translation agencies also tend to have business management software that monitors customers, budgets, suppliers, assignment of work, payments to translators, billing and other relevant components of translation processes.

The TMS (translation management systems) provide the CAT (computer-assisted translation) environment for translators and project managers. The TMS usually stores the specific terminology bases of the client and provides translators with key productivity tools, such as the spell checker.

In a typical workflow, a translation agency works in the following way:

1. Receives the documents a client wishes to translate (either via email or a file transfer programme).
2. A project manager downloads these files and enters them into their translation management system.
3. Creates the quote.
4. Sends the quote to the customer.
5. Waits for the client's approval.
6. Contacts translators to check on their availability.
7. Assigns the project to the appropriate translators.
8. Waits for the translation to be completed and sends the project to its proofreaders.
9. Delivers the translation via email or a file transfer programme.
10. Sends the invoice.

This is just an example of a workflow, but it can be even more complex! For us, the aspects of this process which particularly worry us are the following:

There is room for human error

With so many manual steps, there is increased possibility for human error at some point in the overall process. Every manual entry presents the opportunity to make an error. The process can be improved with added checks and controls to minimise the potential for errors, but then it becomes slower and less effective.

Slowness

Without a doubt, every manual step wastes time. Many of the steps we have seen above require a response or an approval in order to move forward. The time between each step can really accumulate and make translation management a slow and cumbersome process.

Work that does not offer added value

With so much manual work, it is very difficult to work diligently and efficiently. This affects the performance of the people responsible for managing translations in companies, as they stop focusing on what is important and end up wasting their time on the comings and goings of emails, which generate a lot of bureaucratic work and do not contribute added value.

Difficult to improve

It is very difficult to improve and automate such a manual process. Therefore, there is no room for improvement.

With our online translation platform, we try to simplify, automate and create a technological framework that, ultimately, does the same as an old-fashioned translation agency: incoming documents, outgoing translated documents. But our approach is easier, more profitable and more efficient. Are you wondering how this works? Keep reading...

How our online translation platform works

Firstly, we have taken a process with at least 10 different steps and reduced it to four. Each step removed represents a reduction of margin for error, increased efficiency and opportunities to continuously improve.

The benefits of our online translation platform

Centralisation

Everything in one platform! It allows one or unlimited users from the same company to send, request, receive, validate and manage files for translation easily and intuitively.

Complete control

Validation workflows, segmentation by companies, business units, departments, cost centres, user hierarchies and a notification system.

Speed and effectiveness

Immediate budgets, speedy execution and delivery. Displays all orders, original/translated files that are always downloadable from the platform, order status monitoring and delivery times.

Data Analytics

This allows users and supervisors to generate real-time reports for the control and detailed monitoring of costs, jobs, budgets and economic consumption data. Customisable permissions for users.

Maintain the format

Regardless of the type of editable file you upload to the online translation platform, it will return the document to you in the same format (.ppt, .xls, .doc, .csv, .html, .txt, .json, .xliff, etc.).

Security

Communications between our clients and AT LS are encrypted and secured through our online translation platform.

Conclusion

Thanks to the technology used to manage translations effectively, many of our clients have seen how a cumbersome process can become a quick and simple task. This has benefited them in terms of time investment and has exponentially increased their control over translation costs, resulting in significant savings. Long gone are the times when companies would lose working hours and patience requesting translation budgets, validations, follow-up of deliveries, etc. With our online translation platform, you have everything in one tool. And, what's more, it doesn't carry any additional cost, as we offer this technology completely free for our clients.

If you think this platform could be the answer to managing your translations efficiently, giving you less to worry about and getting rid of all that unnecessary admin, write to us!