Translation Technology for Remote Teams: Considerations

Is your enterprise now transitioning to a distributed workforce? If so, it’s time to consider the needs of remote employees who collaborate on global communications.

At this moment, it’s likely they’re wishing they had the best translation technology for remote teams like theirs.
The following information will help you decide on a better alternative to your company’s current translation software. We also give you a recommendation at the end of this article.

Desktop Translation Software isn’t Ideal for Remote Teams

This tip should remain top-of-mind when searching for translation technology for remote teams. 

Here’s Why.
Desktop translation technology has its fair share of pitfalls for remote teams, let alone while in use at the office. When translating remotely on a desktop application, some of the issues encountered include the following:

Cumbersome interfaces

Many desktop translation interfaces lack thoughtful UX design. They often aren't as intuitive as web-first applications. Additionally, their cumbersome toolbars use too much screen space. 

What’s more, multiple clicks are usually required to complete just one action within desktop translation apps. Remote translators are likely using a laptop for their translation projects, amplifying the negative impact this will have on productivity.

Device licensing restrictions

If an employee needs to translate on a device other than what was originally licensed for their desktop software (due to working from home), your company will need to pay for another seat. Yes–for the same employee.

Or, they may have to uninstall it from the existing device and reinstall on the new one.

If a new team member suddenly needs access to the software, you will be required to pay for an additional seat. Cloud translation applications are more scalable and cost-effective.

Operating system bottlenecks

Let’s say you onboard a new team member remotely and the operating system on their personal device doesn’t support your existing desktop app. Unfortunately, it will require additional time and expense to set them up with a new computer or virtual machine.

Downtime & bugs 

Another reason to search for better translation technology for working remotely is because IT managers will be inundated with tech support tickets for downtime and bugs. It’s a frequent complaint of desktop translation software used in-office as it is. 

Pair this with a remote workforce and you’ll soon be remoting in to “fix” an issue, while the culprit is the software itself. Frequent bugs and the need for manual updates can cause extra alarm and frustration while an employee is doing remote work.

In effect, IT managers will be the ones absorbing that.

Local computer issues

Because desktop translation technology requires more resources from your employee’s system, local computer issues (e.g. memory) become more of a disruption to the translation workflow.

When your employee is working remotely, this can take you longer to resolve.

Extensive training & onboarding

The best translation technology for remote teams and workers won’t have a steep learning curve. Unfortunately, this eliminates most desktop translation software options.

In Summary
These issues can increase the workload of virtual IT support and scaling your remote workforce.

Remote Workers Value These Cloud-Based Translation Features

Knowing that desktop translation software isn’t ideal for remote teams, you might consider cloud-based alternatives. It will also help you get ahead of their temptation to use free online apps that pose security risks to your company’s data.

However, in order to get the most out a cloud-based translation application, you should consider software with the following collaborative and productivity features. These are particularly critical for remote workers:

Collaboration Features

• Slack-Like Instant Messaging
• Secure File Sharing
• Project Management
• Translation Tracking
• Edit History
• User Permission Controls
• Translation Memory Groups
• Bookmarking
• “Last Login” Information
• Strong Security

Productivity Features

• Gisting
• File Translator
• Batch File Translation
• Translation Alignment
• Dynamic Machine Learning
• Translation Memory
• Dynamic Spellcheck
• Terminology Management
• TermBase & Translation Memory Lookup
• Automatic File Formatting

Best Translation Technology for Working Remotely

Want the best translation software for working remotely (that comes with the above features)?

Try Pairaphrase. It’s a web-based translation management system for enterprises who value safer, smarter and faster translation.

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