Plunet integrates Trados TM Server on the Plunet BusinessManager platform

By ClientSide News Magazine

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Interview with Plunet CEO, Stefan Dümig and Martin Philips, Channel Sales Manager at SDL Trados Technologies following their recent partnership announcement.

For the first time, translation processes running over the Trados TM Server are now linked to one of the leading industry solutions for business and workflow management. The bi-directional high-end interface developed by Plunet enables translation agencies and in-house translation departments to establish integrated translation management processes. Automated analyses, direct outputting of detailed and clearly presented price calculations and significantly simplified processes in the order and job areas are key benefits of this integration. When quotes are accepted or jobs are assigned, pre-translation is automatically started on the Trados TM Server, and the analysis files obtained in the process are linked to the relevant price lists. Afterwards, the work packages for the corresponding translators are made available by the integrated system - all at the push of a button. The benefits are obvious: the high level of automation achieved with the integration of SDL Trados and Plunet noticeably eases the workload on project managers, reduces the potential for making mistakes, saves time, reduces costs and offers significant improvements in terms of productivity. At the same time, the system also offers project managers all the necessary control and intervention tools, thus ensuring that the project moves along smoothly at all times.

CSN: Why did Plunet decide to go for this partnership?

Dümig: We observe and analyze the market and its participants very closely. I don’t think I’m letting out a secret when I point out that SDL TRADOS is by far the largest company in our line of business. There are therefore also many Plunet customers among its 170,000 users worldwide, and they explicitly requested integration of both high-tech systems, which has now been implemented. Furthermore, there is a markedly increasing demand worldwide with regard to innovative software solutions which are capable of linking translation and business management processes seamlessly with each other. A technology partnership seemed to both parties to be simply the best basis for intensive, successful and, above all, customer-orientated collaboration.

CSN: What advantages will arise for your customers as a result of this arrangement?

Dümig: Let me reword the question slightly so that I can cover all user groups with my answer. “Who has what use from integration?” That would be first and foremost the customers, i.e. the purchasers of translation and localization services. The customer portal of the Plunet BusinessManager provides a highly transparent steering, tracking and reporting tool with strong focus on commercial processes and reports. These functions are essential for an economically efficient and successful management of companies.

For project managers in translation agencies and language services, it is first and foremost the time factor which should play a huge role. By linking both systems, we improve stability which can otherwise be compromised by the constant jumping back and forth between the translation and project management software and thus create time savings of an average of 90 percent per assignment. Converting that figure, we are talking here about a saving of 18 minutes per assignment – at the end of a working day that is something not to be frowned at, and ultimately hard cash for every company. Moreover, the software can be accessed from anywhere and is completely location-independent.

In the end the translators can benefit on our developments too. Through SDL Trados TM Server, the Plunet BusinessManager can produce pre-translated files that can be submitted automatically to respective translators. Moreover, on the Plunet Freelancer Portal we will offer the possibility to create and transmit invoices. This will enable a more efficient and comprehensive job organization for all freelance translators.

CSN: What does the integration of the SDL TRADOS Technology look like within the Plunet BusinessManager and which developments are planned for the future?

Dümig: Well ... we are currently integrating all the functionality which SDL TM Server and SDL MultiTerm Server offer. That includes automated preparation of all file formats with subsequent pre-translation, SDL PerfectMatch and Context Match and analysis, including automatic price calculation, preparation of job packages, updating of translation memories, to name just some of the features. Right now it’s getting really exciting with SDL Trados Studio 2009 and the new openness of the program. Besides the features already available, there will also be a great many further possibilities of automation and integration with the Plunet BusinessManager on offer. For this we are basically taking into account all functionality of SDL Trados Studio 2009 as well as all other SDL Trados products. Together with SDL TRADOS and our customers we are sure to discover many new starting points and implementation possibilities. Appetite is known to come with eating – and the Plunet-SDL TRADOS kitchen will offer something for every taste.

CSN: How long did it take to develop this technology linking?

Dümig: Around four months so far – but our development work of course never takes a break. We are permanently working on current and still-to-come supplements for the SDL TRADOS product integrations mentioned.

Phillips: SDL provided the APIs and SDKs immediately as soon as they were requested by Plunet. As part of our commitment, we have also recently employed a Technology Partner Manager based out of our Stuttgart office who’s sole reason for existence is to assist Technology Partners and ensure our relationship is smooth and obstacle free. We also work with our technology partners to help them promoting their new integrations when they are released to the market.

CSN: What were the major developmental sticking points, if any? And how did you break through those challenges?

Dümig: The greatest challenge was connecting together the different program platforms of SDL TRADOS and Plunet. SDL TRADOS works on Windows ActiveX; Plunet, on the other hand, is based on Java and so is platform-independent. Our programmers had to develop a C++ bridge for it, which basically acts as a mediator between Java and Windows. Technically speaking, that in itself is a real masterpiece of programming.

CSN: If you have not piloted an actual client program yet, but have compared this new integrated process against common, traditional methods in your testing environment, by what percentage do you expect clients to realize:

Mistake reduction?

Dümig: It’s difficult to make a percentage statement here, and of course it depends on existing structures and working methods. However, because of the high transparency, automation and standardization of TradosTM Manager, companies will be able to reduce their error quotas to around zero within the integrated processes.

Time savings?

Dümig: Around 90 percent per assignment or 18 minutes.

Cost reduction?

Dümig: Huge. If you assume a time saving of 18 minutes per assignment, we are talking here, depending on the size of the company and the number of incoming assignments, about impressive potential savings.

Productivity increases?

Dümig: Also huge. Due to the described cost and time reductions which occur from our integrated solution, companies will be able to profit lastingly from a marked increase in productivity.

CSN: Why did SDL embark on a technology partnership strategy?

Phillips: At SDL the main objective of our technology partnership strategy is to ensure that both customers and prospective customers experience no difficulty in integrating their SDL TRADOS system with associated components within the GIM (Global Information Management) space. With this goal in mind we set out to provide the technology and resources our Technology partners need to generate additional revenue streams by integrating with the industry standard in translation technology.

Through our partnership strategy we also wanted to demonstrate to prospective buyers that, SDL can provide the hub into which additional GIM components can connect seamlessly, while creating additional opportunities for our partners in the process. To assist with smooth integration we provide full access to a range of API’s into our systems along with documented SDKs. This policy continues with the recent launch of our new 2009 product portfolio where open APIs is an absolute standard.

CSN: How does SDL see this technology partnership strategy developing over time?

Phillips: We have already seen significant take-up in the technology partner program and we see this continuing apace for the foreseeable future. In addition, with the launch of SDL Trados Studio 2009 recently gives added impetus due to the completely open APIs shipped as standard. We are absolutely committed to this strategy in the long term.

CSN: What benefits is Plunet receiving from their partnership with SDL, and how has the experience been so far?

Dümig: The partnership has first and foremost very clear strategic and operative advantages for us. SDL TRADOS is the world market leader in the TM software sector, Plunet develops and sells the leading business management solution for the translation industry. With this combination we have an integrated end-to-end solution, which, because of the market leader status of both companies, carries massive potential for all those involved. We have been more than happy with our partnership so far. Communication and collaboration has been working excellently on a technological, economic and, above all, human level.

Phillips: We aspire to offer all our GIM (Global Information Management) technology partner companies a wide range of benefits through partnering with SDL. Primarily we offer them the opportunity of close technical and commercial collaboration with the world’s leading translation technology provider and through this the additional possibility to expand their client base. With our technology partnership we aim to offer significant added value to our partner’s.

To this end we provide exclusive development access to all our products, we promote wider exposure of our Partner’s solutions through joint marketing to the SDL user base and the benefit of being able to offer unquestioned compatibility with the world leader in CAT (Computer Aided Translation) technology.

Published - February 2010

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