Системы управления переводами: автоматизация и эффективность локализации

A translation management system (TMS), formerly globalization management system (GMS), is a type of software for automating many parts of the human language translation process and maximizing translator efficiency. The idea of a translation management system is to automate all repeatable and non essential work that can be done by software/systems and leaving only the creative work of translation and review to be done by human beings. A translation management system generally includes at least two types of technology: process management technology to automate the flow of work, and linguistic technology to aid the translator. In a typical TMS, process management technology is used to monitor source language content for changes and route the content to various translators and reviewers. These translators and reviewers may be located across the globe and typically access the TMS via the Internet. Translation management systems are most commonly used today for managing various aspects translation business.

Although translation management systems (TMS) seems to be the currently favoured term in the language localisation industry, these solutions are also known as globalization management systems (GMS) or global content management systems (GCMS). They work with content management systems (CMS) as separate, but linked programs or as simple add ons that can answer specific multilingual requirements.

A TMS typically connects to a CMS to manage foreign language content. It tends to address the following categories in different degrees, depending on each offering:
Business administration: project management, resource management, financial management. This category is traditionally related to enterprise resource planning (ERP) tools. Business process management: workflow, collaboration, content connectors. This category is traditionally the domain of specialised project management tools. Language management: integrated translation memory, webtop translation tools, customer review and markup. This is traditionally performed with specialised translation tools. CMS excels at process management while ignoring business management and translation tools, which are strongholds of TMS.

TMS vendors target two main buyers when marketing and selling their products. On the one hand, software developer only companies attract content producers, and sell their offering with no strings attached. On the other hand, software developers can also be language service providers (LSPs), so they offer their language services over their custom made technological offering for easier customer integration. The latter is commonly referred to as a captive solution, meaning that buyers must use the TMS developer's language services in order to take advantage of their platform. Content producers with preferred or previous language service agreements to third LSPs may prefer to maintain their independence and purchase software licences only. However, a combined option of technology solution and language services in one package is bound to be more cost effective. Similarly, LSPs may prefer to contact technology vendors who are not part of the competition, offering also language services. Many LSPs got nervous when SDL bought Trados in 2005, becoming the biggest translation technology provider, while still having language services as part of their activities. As a result of this, competitive cloud translation management systems that combine TMS functionality with CAT tools and online translation editors, started making their way to the market.