What is a TMS?

A translation management system (TMS) is a type of software used for comprehensive work with translation projects. It is a centralized platform that comprises various tools, performs an abundance of tasks, and allows to achieve numerous goals

Through its process optimization and linguistic technology features, each TMS aims to:

  • automate repeatable and non-essential tasks done by a project manager in the translation process
  • maximise translator efficiency
  • reduce costs
  • cut down on processing time
  • monitor the translation status
  • standardise cooperation with translation vendors
  • ensure transparency of workflows
  • integrate with existing corporate systems
  • store completed translations

As a result, a TMS is a complex content management tool used in the translation and localization process, that comprises:

  • translation editor
  • quality assurance tool
  • translation memory management
  • terminology database
  • finance management tools
  • API interface for connection with other systems and engines (CMS, machine translation, other third-party systems)

All of these parts support and accelerate the translation process.

Brief history of TMS

Here is how a TMS originated:

  • 2000s: CAT tools enter the translation industry and make a revolution: from paper-based and document-only translation process to translation memories and working on segments in a dedicated software
  • 2010: first on-premise TMSs appear on the market and are used by global enterprises
  • 2015: TMSs move to the cloud as a result it is easier and quicker to share translation resources with all process participants
  • 2020: the pandemic accelerated the process of shifting to cloud-based TMSs to enable home office in dispersed environments. Due to rapid deployment of additional features, today's systems are rather advanced hubs for dealing with content technologies (from file management, financial reporting, machine translation and integration with other systems for more automated workflows).