In order for a company to successfully establish itself on the global market and be ahead of the international competition, high-quality translations are essential. For example, there is a strong demand for EU handbooks, maintenance and operating manuals or product information, that have to be available in the client’s respective native language. However, when it comes to promotional product descriptions in particular, merely providing a translation is not enough: The promotional texts must always be adapted towards the needs of the target markets.
Challenges associated with complex translation projects
The complexity of product and service descriptions and the large amount of translation projects emerging as a result require efficient processes, which facilitate a timely execution of orders. Using our own independently developed online portal solution portal4client™, which features a workflow component, simplifies these processes. The administrative expenses for the client are kept significantly lower, as translation projects are managed centrally, which allows for fully-automated integration, project processing and data transfer. Furthermore, computer-aided translation helps to guarantee consistency of translations, as it can be used to create company-specific translation memories and terminology databases.
Automating the translation process
With the development of processes based on the Common Translation Interface (COTI) standard for the automated exchange of translation data, we were able to create solutions that simplify the integration of data across systems. This includes client-specific information, such as services to be carried out, for example; in-country reviews, post-translation DTP or proofreading before the translation, as well as information concerning invoicing, which can be applied and processed automatically. This can for instance be done via a hotfolder connection which acts as an exchange folder for the translation data and is checked at regular intervals for new files to be translated. Sending data manually via email or creating projects manually is no longer necessary. As a result, the workflow between the clients and the translation specialists is optimised and automated.
In addition, clients benefit from enhanced security and increased flexibility thanks to a REST API interface to portal4client™ featured in API4client™. This interface enables a direct connection to the client’s CMS or PIM system allowing for standardised data transfer and processing, as well as flexible and optimised management of large translation orders at any time.
With complex translation projects, it may also be reasonable to connect the machine translation solution MT4client™ to portal4client™ Advanced, as the system can learn patterns and integrate company-specific terminology. MT4client™ can guarantee (cost-) effective and above all clearly structured project management.
Open Catalogue Interface (OCI): Connection to the client’s catalogue system
Another piece of technological innovation at KERN is the connection of portal4client™ to the client’s ordering system, which allows the client to place orders automatically and enables the exchange of data sets. As a result of this, the ordering processes are significantly simplified. In addition, this guarantees an efficient workflow: The shopping basket is filled with translation orders, which subsequently trigger a direct translation enquiry. In the next step, the relevant data (content of the shopping basket, cost centre, price) is sent to the client’s ordering system, which, subject to client processing and approval where necessary generates an order so that the translation can be ordered directly. The project is subsequently processed automatically. The client is notified as soon as the target files are available. Consequently, quick processing of an order can be guaranteed at any time.
The benefits of OCI at a glance:
- Quick placement and confirmation of orders without any intermediate steps
- Automated generation of orders
- Immediate order processing
- time and cost-effective management of your orders
- Quick invoicing
We offer interfaces for OCI v5.1 for various systems:
- Merchandise planning and control systems
- ERP systems/e-procurement systems
- Client-specific adaptations are also possible upon request
KERN is happy to determine in consultation with the client which technical solutions fit the companies concerned and their translation requirements best.
Language Courses