In this semester’s Translation Management System(TMS) class, I learned an array of TMS system that will be constructive in my future career, including SDL WorldServer, Lingotek, GlobalLink, and some other TMSs. We played different roles in all of those TMSs to experience different functions, such as project managers, translators, and clients. I have a better understanding of each stakeholder’s role in a translation project, and how they correspond with each other. We implemented a series of analysis and comparisons of TMSs. Here is a record of knowledge & experience I have gained from this course.
TMS Group Comparison Project Files
We elevated WorldServer with GlobalLink, and selected one TMS for Airbnb, our content donor. We identified 10 key business requirements, broke down then by stakeholder, and weighted those points in a scorecard. We run the whole translation project process through those two TMSs, and summarize the evaluation process and results in a presentation to persuade AirBnB to use one of TMS. Here is the scoreboard of our final evaluation:
After the evaluation, we gave out the final scores to GlobalLink and WorldServer, which 152 vs 122. GlobalLink is the TMS that we want to introduce to Airbnb. Please check our final presentation.
TMS Group Consulting Project
The second main project that we did in this semester is a TMS-related consulting project for a real client. After we met the real clients, and we confirmed the needs of them. We run through their TMS system and came up with research of possible solutions. Finally, we made a professional presentation of our recommendations to the client. Here are our video presentation and PPT.
Lessons Learned
- Learning and adapting to a new translation/business management system based on the understanding of GlobalLink, SDL WroldServer, and other TMSs we have learned in the class.
- Identifying stakeholders with their different needs and requirements when choosing a TMS.
- Teamwork, in particular, division of labor, communication, and collaboration mean everything for a successful final delivery.