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tranfree issue 40 - 18 September 2001

 

Translation Memory News

By Alex Eames

Last issue I said...

    "There's been an interesting development in the translation memory market in the last couple of days. More on that in the next edition."

So here it is...

SDLX Elite has been launched. The interesting thing about it is that SDL has changed the payment model. SDLX Elite costs about 2000 dollars, but it is only required by the agencies.

 

Free Lunch?

The agency buys the full version of the product and...

    "Utilizing the downloadable SDLX Lite, translators can edit SDLX files without purchasing SDLX."

So translators working for a client with SDLX Elite can download the free SDLX Lite. Now don't get too excited just yet. You will only be able to use this with clients who have bought the full product. And it remains to be seen whether or not they will go for it.

One comment in the SDL press release I do dispute though...

    "few freelance translators can afford to purchase a Translation Memory product"

I think it's more likely that translators are unwilling to spend multi-hundred dollars for software that is sold as a way to reduce the translation budget. (Hardly an alignment of interests is it?) The previous paragraph in the press-release stated...

    "The re-use of previous translations typically saves up to 40 percent of translation volume over time, and leads to as much as 40 percent savings in cost."

Oh we...

...poor translators. Many of us earn enough to buy SDLX Pro in a good working day. I find the comment that we can't afford it rather patronising.

Having said that, I do applaud the idea of pushing the burden of cost onto the agency if the agency and client are the ones who stand to get the most benefit from the software.

If I buy software for my businesses, I expect to get the benefit of it myself.

 

Star Trying the Same Strategy

At the same time Star Transit are implementing the same idea with Star Satellite PE. To use their own words...

    "It has not been conceived as a 'stand-alone' product. Satellite PE can only be used in connection with a Transit Professional Version in which the translation project will be prepared. For this reason self-contained translation providers are directed to Transit Professional or Transit Smart for their needs."

It's a new marketing tactic in the translation memory field. It will be interesting to see if it is successful.

It will be interesting to see if Trados and Deja Vu try the same tactic.

 

Trados 6 Year Deal

At the same time Trados has signed a 6 year deal with Microsoft...

    "to use TRADOS technology internally as a central part of their content management and localization processes."

Sounds pretty big. Of course Microsoft has owned 20% of Trados since 1997, so you'd expect them to like the software too

Nevertheless, it should give Trados a bit of stability in these turbulent times.

Alex Eames is the founder of translatortips.com,
editor of tranfree and author of the eBook...

How to Earn $80,000+ Per Year as a Freelance Translator
http://www.translatortips.net/ht50.html

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