- Small translation projects – when manual management works
- CAT tools – essential support for every translator
- TMS systems – comprehensive management of translation projects
- Full integration with CMS systems
- Integrations – the key to efficiency
- Management models – who is responsible for the process?
- Why comprehensive translation management is a good investment
Managing translations in large-scale projects requires far more than simply passing text to a translator. It demands an organised approach, the right tools, and coordination of multiple people and processes. That is why internationally operating companies increasingly turn to comprehensive platforms such as LivoLINK, which enable efficient planning, execution, and monitoring of the entire translation project lifecycle. Such solutions allow not only faster delivery of translations but also maintain the highest quality and consistency across multiple languages. By using these tools, companies can enter new markets faster, tailor content to their audiences, and better manage global communication.
Small translation projects – when manual management works
For very small, one-off projects, a manual approach may suffice: spreadsheets to track status, folders for file organisation, and email communication with translators. However, this approach is not sustainable or scalable.
Lack of automation, absence of version control, risk of errors, and no support for terminological consistency make manual management unsuitable for larger volumes. In practice, this leads to delays, increased risk of mistakes, and lack of transparency. In the long term, manual methods hinder growth, so even medium-sized companies should consider automating translation management.
CAT tools – support for translators
The next step in developing translation project management is the use of CAT (Computer-Assisted Translation) tools. These tools assist translators, accelerate workflows, and ensure consistency. Built-in translation memories (TM) allow the reuse of previous translations, while glossaries ensure consistent terminology. QA (Quality Assurance) features automatically detect inconsistencies, typos, and missing segments. CAT tools also support multiple file formats (from Word and Excel to XML and INDD) while maintaining original formatting. These features can reduce project turnaround time by a significant margin and prevent repetitive tasks.
LivoCAT, part of LivoLINK, is an example of a modern CAT tool that combines classic functions with team collaboration capabilities and integration with other system modules. Through integration with TMS (Translation Management System) and MT (Machine Translation) engines, translators work faster and output quality becomes more predictable. LivoCAT also enables real-time quality control and the creation of custom translation memories for individual clients.
TMS systems – full-scale translation management
For projects carried out in multiple languages and on an ongoing basis, Translation Management Systems (TMS) are essential. They allow full automation of processes and centralised project management. LivoTMS, a core module of LivoLINK, enables:
- automatic task assignment and notifications to translators
- integration with Machine Translation engines (e.g., LivoTRANSLATE) and CAT tools
- use of MTQE (Machine Translation Quality Estimation) for quality assessment and optional cloud OCR
- reporting on costs, quality and progress
- integration with CMS, PIM and e-commerce platforms
- management of vendor databases and payments
By centralising all resources – translation memories, glossaries, source and target files – TMS becomes the heart of the translation process. LivoTMS allows real-time monitoring of task statuses, rapid generation of quotes, and automated progress reporting. This is particularly important for projects spanning dozens of languages and hundreds of thousands of words per month. TMS also supports customised workflows adapted to client requirements and industry specifics.
Extended CMS integration capabilities
When translation goes hand-in-hand with localisation, companies need systems that combine translation management with content publishing. With its modular design and open API, LivoLINK integrates easily with CMSs, e-commerce platforms, and PIM systems, allowing automatic content submission for translation and rapid publication in multiple languages.
This enables near-full automation of content localisation on websites, apps or marketing materials, minimising the need for manual intervention. Implementing such a solution shortens time-to-market and reduces operational costs.
Integrations – key to efficiency
Modern TMS systems must work with other tools, including CMSs, e-commerce platforms, and marketing automation systems. LivoLINK provides direct connections to WordPress, Magento, Shopify, and PIM systems.
Integration with business and marketing tools allows the creation of automated workflows, reducing project completion times and associated costs. This enables companies to coordinate marketing activities more effectively and respond to market needs faster.
Management models – who is responsible for the process?
Depending on the scale and type of operation, translation management can be conducted in several ways:
- Internal translation team – provides full control over the process and allows direct team collaboration
- Translation agencies – outsourcing projects to professional providers (LSP – Language Service Providers) who manage the entire process
- Freelancers – suitable for smaller projects requiring a flexible approach
LivoLINK supports all these models, offering tools to manage teams, subcontractors, and freelancers in a single system. This allows precise alignment of management structures with company specifics and project types. The platform also facilitates cost control and supplier performance evaluation, crucial for large, recurring projects.
Why invest in comprehensive translation management?
Through automation and system integration, modern platforms such as LivoLINK significantly reduce project turnaround times, lower costs, and maintain the highest translation quality. LivoLINK operates both as SaaS and on-premise, providing flexibility to meet client needs.
For large localisation projects spanning multiple departments and countries, professional translation management tools ensure full transparency and control over the process. This drives effective communication and faster market entry, providing a competitive advantage. Investing in such solutions also enables the creation of a consistent global communication strategy and the production of content tailored to local audiences.
The LivoLINK platform is built on a microservices architecture, leverages technology partnerships with Microsoft and Oracle, and complies with GDPR and ISO 27001, ensuring data security.
