November 2, 2005
Translation Workflow - Make or Buy?
At the Localization World conference last week in Seattle, this topic has been identified as one of the “hot topics” in the industry at this moment. There have been controversial discussions about buying an off-the-shelf product (such as LTC Organizer or project-open) or creating your own tool, which suits the needs of the company best.
In the Technology discussion group at the GALA Annual Meeting, we have decided to pick up this topic and start a web blog on it.
We therefore welcome any comments you have regarding this topic, or any experiences you would like to share with the rest of the world:
What tool are you using, what are the pros and cons from your point of view?
Did you create your own tool, what are the obstacles to look out for?
Are you validating tools at the moment, would you like to share some of your results?
Do you consider implementing such a tool in your company, what information are you looking for?
We do appreciate an open and frank discussion about this topic, but please no bashing of any kind.
posted by Johannes Purer
7 Responses to “Translation Workflow - Make or Buy?”
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November 13th, 2005 at 6:52 pm
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This is a wonderfaul opportunity to discuss openly and frankly the differences in localization tools strategies, the different aspects of tools available in the market, and the drivers that exist for the multiple decisions that lead to the ultimate Build vs Buy scenario that repeats itself constantly within global corperations. The forum for such discussion between professionals in our industry has existed in some limited form or another, but never as easily accessed by the general public, and never in such a cooperative environment. I myself look forward to the feedback and insights that can be gained from openly dicussing the future direction of localization tools with clients, colleagues, and competitors with a view to improving our industry as a whole.
November 17th, 2005 at 8:58 pm
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At Prisma International we developed a web-based project tracking tool called Prisma Online (POL) several years ago. POL allows customers to request an estimate online through their portal and allows project managers to create and manage project plan, project spec, budget and communication. Project managers can manage version of documents through POL’s document management module and trigger invoices when the project is completed. It also allows supplier managers to keep track of our suppliers’ rates and qualifications and reconcile invoices from suppliers. It supports our ISO standard procedures as well. The only thing I feel that the tool is missing at this point is some automated workflow - especially regarding estimating, supplier selection, and file transferring activities.
We are currently assessing whether or not we should continue investing in POL or buy tools that are available in the market. I checked several workflow and project management tools, but none of them seem to meet our exact needs (as you would expect). The biggest drawback is that most project management tools do not have robust financial features that allow project managers to manage budget, trigger invoices, reconcile invoices from suppliers, and allow Finance Department and the Executive Management to get financial reports on company performance.
Some tool companies told me that their tools are not financial management tools and that’s why I don’t see those features in their tools. But localization is a business, and I need to be able to see rolled-up financial reports on a daily basis. To me not having financial features in a project management tool is like being a native Japanese speaker and not knowing any Kanji.
What I am looking for is a tool that combines a project management tool with financial features and an automated workflow tool. Am I asking too much? Should I just go back to my web developer and ask him to upgrade our tools? I hope someone will tell me that I am missing something and there are some tools that allow me to have both project management and automated workflow.
Right before Localization World in Seattle, I became aware ]open-project[ and Across tools. I haven’t tested these tools, but from what I read on their websites, it seems like viable choices for a company like us. I would appreciate comments from peers who have tested or implemented ]open-project[ or Across tools as well as LTC Organizer, SDL WorkFlow, TRADOS TeamWorks, Idiom WorldServer, and any other tools available in the market.
December 27th, 2005 at 11:44 am
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From personal experience in commercializing such a system, when companies are facing the challenge of buying or making a Translation Workflow System, I have generally seen a gap of information. Here are three common sample situations:
- Companies (or decision makers) normally have in mind a system that is the same as theirs, only much better! They don’t want to change the way they do things, who would?
- In the case they have a list of requirements, some prospects think that out there in the market there will be a system that simply reflects the way they see things, and includes all the desirable features they want. This is not very likely to happen. Thus, when considering the acquisiton of a commercial system, one should consider some customization efforts to adequeate such a system to their specific needs.
- Some companies tend to think that buying a commercial WMS is buying “ways to do things” different than theirs, and this seems to be sensitive as apparently we are dealing with their “identity”.
What seems to be true though, is that the best product will be one that a) is close to the specific list of requirements that the prospect has carefully developed, and b) is developed by a company who puts the right effort providing quality communication, consulting, customization, training and customer support.
If such a system is intended no less than to have all the information of our value chain, simply do not expect to find one off the shelf!
As always, open to discussion B·)
January 6th, 2006 at 7:21 am
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For large translation companies, I can see the decision whether to buy or build workflow management systems is more of a dilemma than for small companies. For us, and for at least two companies I know of a similar size (
April 26th, 2006 at 4:33 am
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Being one of the small companies in the business, we have decided for cost reasons to buy a product from the shelf (also if that means to have to make some changes in our workflow or adjusting the tools to our needs).
At the moment we are starting to evaluate a tool called across Network Edition.
Does anyone who is reading this blog have any experience with this WMS tool, which seems to be tailored to the various needs of translation agencies?
September 28th, 2006 at 9:04 am
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A group of professional volunteer translators badly needs workflow management software. Our needs are different from localization concerns: we need quite a simple routing system, maximum automatization (to conserve volatile volunteer energies), but no financial component at all.
We have tried to finance a customized product, and have approached ]project-open[, but so far to little effect.
I would be very grateful for *any* suggestions as to where to look and what to try.
November 2nd, 2007 at 3:26 pm
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There is an extensive comparison on Workflow Management Systems published at:
http://commonsenseadvisory.com/research/report_view.php?id=39&cid=5
We should understand that there is no best technology, but probably one that better adapts to the business model, practices and even “personality” of the company.