Integrating Translation and Content Management Workflows

Translating content for multiple global markets is a complex effort that involves a variety of technologies, business processes, and internal and external contributors. In 2006, we researched more than 40 companies in the global content management market, including language service (LSPs), content management (ECM/CM), and global information management (GIM) providers.
The research revealed that there are various market approaches to the integration of translation and content management workflows. We've categorized them into three levels, summarized as follows:

• Level 1: workflows are autonomous for the most part, characterized by email or FTP-based transfer of source and localized content with some amount of automated notifications. There is little if any access to or reuse of translation memory. Although there is often automated assembly of content object(s) that require translation, we call this level the “handshake approach” to underline the dependence on human-driven, manual business processes.


• Level 2: workflows are integrated at the API level to achieve bi-directional communications, enabling automated assembly, transfer, and auditing of source and localized content based on workflow state changes. Building on the Level 1 approach, this eliminates dependence on email attachments as well as FTP site management. In addition, there is a strong focus on access to and reuse of translation memory.


• Level 3: workflows support and extend a Level 2 integration and provide more opportunity for translation memory reuse. Focus in this approach is less on interoperability and more on visibility into process and project management. Visibility capabilities can include bi-directional query on project status and cost, integrated task management and collaboration, and combined reporting. Usability is key in this approach, with emphasis on accessible capabilities directly from user interfaces.

The Gilbane Group is having a conversation on February 14th with Steve Billings, Senior Solutions Engineer with Idiom Technologies, and David Smith, President of LinguaLinx about the reality and value of integrating translation and content management workflows. Join us! If you can't make it, feel free to submit a question via a blog comment and we'll do our best to address it.

Webinar Event: Integrating Translation and Content Management Workflows
Date: February 14th, 2007
Time: 1:00pm Eastern, 10am Pacific
Duration: 1 hour
Register here