Due to economic globalization, the pace at which companies expand internationally and the amount of content that requires translation and localization are continually increasing. Despite that content is fragmented and updates happen more often, clients require better translation and localization results with remained budget, which asks language service providers (LSP) to put more efforts into project management. If one wants to meet all these requirements and remain profitable without sacrificing quality, necessary steps must be taken.

Firstly, figuring out what dragged you down in the translation process?

Project managers in an LSP are now spending most their time on repeating tasks such as sending and receiving documents, converting file formats, sending emails, awaiting replies, and receiving and transiting specific requirements from clients to translators. And if the overlapped manual parts of the localization process can be replaced with automation by means of technology, it will be another efficient solution after computer-aided translation technology.

How can localization process automation help in reversing manual limits?

File transfer

At the top of this chain of command, a project manager is also the controller that supervises the project. During the translation process, the customer’s content management system (CMS) and the supplier’s translation management system (TMS) are independent of each other. In each project update, both sides of the documentations must undergo a file transfer operation – resulting in a lot of unnecessary time cost. If the contents and updates of the project are automatically obtained through connecting the two documentation systems, the manual transmission and the extraction of documents can be eliminated from the process. This will increase the response efficiency, speed up the handling of updated contents, and allow the project managers to focus on what builds real value for their customers.

File preprocessing

One of the major responsibilities for project managers is file preprocessing such as file analysis and quoting, UI text extraction, file format conversion, and linguistic matching. However, in the current translation trend, more frequent updates entail more segments, which would render the entire work process time-consuming and laborious, as it would require more interventions from employees. If preprocessed rules and work procedures are implemented to predefine specific file types and to create algorithms that automatically preprocess texts, it will be more labor-saving, efficient, and accurate.

Time difference

This is the most common factor that affects the progress of a project; since translation and localization service providers cooperate with people speaking different languages such as in-house and native translators or editors and proofreaders. Varying time zones and work systems significantly slow down the project’s progress. Only if this workforce is imported into the same management platform with pre-set rules and procedures can everyone with different working hours cooperate with one another. Thus, push ahead on the project without obstacles — truly achieving a 24/7 translation services.

Based on predefined rules, automation implementation can squeeze the extra value for customers

In accordance with the customer’s specific system and requirements for the documents, automation implementation provides connector customizations and rule predefining with the support of the supplier’s technical team. Predefined rules are the foundation of process automation, but how does it help increase response speed, optimize localization processes, and shorten the process cycles?

By specifying the time to send projects, setting language pairs, and predefining a way to communicate the dos and don’ts, the project cycle can be shortened. Further, understanding how to process documents, what content requires translation, and how to allocate resources are additional variables to consider. Afterwards, the system will automatically look for the documents at the time the project was scheduled to be sent. The resource matching system can automatically match the appropriate resources in coordination with language representation. And, online CAT tool can hide the contents that do not require translation according to the predefined rules.

Additionally, file processing automation can also rely on predefined rules as well as the implementation of work procedures. After obtaining the project documents, the system will automatically run a statistical analysis, quotation, text extraction, and cost recording. After predefining a file type, the system can automatically perform format conversion on contents or texts that need to be translated. Through making the process highly automated, they also label particular texts to specify if they require actions such as translation, improving efficiency, and ensuring accuracy.

Regarding prolonged timelines caused by time differences and fuzzy manual labor on management, by customizing the API (Connector), docking LSP and the customer’s file management system, the contents and updates of the project can be obtained automatically. In turn, the cumbersome manual transmission and extraction of documents can be decreased or eliminated from the process. The Online CAT platform allows high-quality translators around the world to work cooperatively.

Therefore, time and labor management costs saved from the automation process can allow language service providers to refrain from charging their customers a minimum rate without pressure, thereby improving efficiency while increasing the customer’s profits – a win-win solution.

To bring forth innovative ideas to meet the customer’s needs, EC Innovations has devised LPA (Localization Process Automation) solutions in 15 years. We summarize our customer’s pain points based on 20 years of translation and localization experience, and we have always dedicated ourselves to providing our customers with state-of-the-art services. In addition to replacing repeating manual labor with automation, ECI has also devised proprietary QA tools for our customers. If you wish to review manually whether the translators automatically selected by the LPA system meet the project requirements, track the progress of translation and localization and examine the translational quality of the finished products.

We not only provide solutions but also technical support. To know more about EC Innovations LPA solution, please visit http://www.ecinnovations.com/technology/eci-link/ .