Localization is a fast-paced industry. As brands and corporations widen their global reach, their need for quick and reliable localization services also increases. When you are planning a worldwide reveal for your new product or a simultaneous release in different regions, the last thing you want would be a delay caused by an unfinished translation project.
In the face of this ever-growing demand, localization companies have adapted and streamlined their services to offer the best translation solutions within tight deadlines. But sometimes, that is simply not enough. You might not have hours or even minutes to wait for a quote on a translation project. Your customers do not wait, so why should you?
The solution is: XTM Customer Portal
If you are working with a localization company that uses XTM as their Translation Management System (TMS), you can ask to access their customer portal. By taking direct control of your localization projects, you are essentially eliminating the whole back-and-forth of sending a file for translation, waiting for a quote, and then approving it to start the project. Instead, you can start any translation task at your own convenience, monitor all your ongoing projects at a glance, and get direct access to your translation archives. So, here are the top five reasons to use a Customer Portal:
1. Get an instant quote and estimated delivery time
When using the Customer Portal, all you have to do to get a quote is to log in with your Customer account and upload the file for translation. You can also choose any number of translation languages for your file.
Translation request window
You will still enjoy all the benefits of having a translation memory, such as discounts on repeated or similar sentences. (More on this in an upcoming article.) As soon as your file is analyzed to show the word count and possible similarities with your previous files, you will see the final quote. XTM will also calculate and show you the estimated delivery time for your document. If your translation agency offers it, you can even ask for a quicker turnaround with an automatically calculated rush fee.
2. Start your project with pre-defined workflows
After receiving your automated quote, you can simply start the translation project by approving the cost. You can have a number of pre-defined workflows with different additional steps (number of editors, proofreaders, etc.)
A simple workflow with a single correction step
Not every localization project is the same. Depending on your content, just a single translation step might be enough, or you might need multiple proofreaders and copy editors to go over the translation. By having a pre-defined workflow for each scenario, you can just select the service level you need and the task will be assigned to the correct team.
You can even directly choose the specific translator or a group of translators you want to work with, and all your projects will only be assigned to them.
3. Get notified when the translation is finished
As we have automated the process of requesting a translation, you also don’t need anyone to send you the finished file. When your selected workflow is completed, you will receive a notification e-mail. After that, you can simply log in and download the finished files.
XTM’s translation suite will also preserve the exact layout of your original file, even when working with InDesign or Illustrator file formats. So, the finished translation file you download will be ready-to-go.
4. As complicated or as simple as you want
Localization project management is not as simple as one might think. In fact, it can get really, really complicated. However, using the Customer Portal is only as complex as you want it to be.
If you just want to send files for translation and receive the translated files back, things could not be easier. You just upload the file, approve the cost, and download the translated file when it’s finished.
But if you want to be more involved, there are no limits. You can monitor all your ongoing projects, you can directly access your translation memories and terminology databases, get detailed reports about completed projects, and inspect the linguistic quality assurance (lqa) scores of translators. You can also access the actual translation tool to directly edit the translation, review it or leave comments.
If your translation volume is large enough, you can even appoint a full-time translation project manager who will be able to oversee every aspect of your localization projects and manually change every little detail they want.
Sample project list
5. Easily accessible archive
Every translation project that is created and completed on XTM is archived. When using the customer portal, you can access all your archived projects at any time. Besides being able to download the original documents and their translations, your project archive will also enable you to generate reports on translation costs and volume for any time period.
One step further: connect XTM with your CMS
The customer portal is only the first step of automation in your localization journey. XTM also offers integration possibilities if you want to further simplify your processes. You can use the already available connectors including WordPress, Adobe, Salesforce, or Contentstack; or you can integrate XTM with your own tools by using its web-service API.
