Why do we need a TMS?
A Translation Management System (TMS) can do the basic and repetitious works that may be tedious for human workers. Generally, TMS has its own automation system to facilitate a project. Project Managers can apply the workflows that are provided by TMS, so that they do not need to spend time on making new workflows, and hence boosts the working efficiency. TMS can also reduce human errors since many tasks, such as sending notification, can be done by its automation system.
TMS Recommendation:
I would recommend Lingotek as a wonderful model of Translation Management System. Firstly, Lingotek has a very user-friendly interface. The interface is clean and straightforward, with the tool bars located on the left side of the screen. The system is high automated since most of the resources can be synchronized with the projects. Lingotek has a very useful search panel as well; it will not take so much time for project managers to search for their resources.
Secondly, Lingotek gives the users much freedom to manage projects. It allows the users to customize the workflows themselves. Users can customize, add, or delete phases in a project workflow based on their needs. In addition to it, they can also make adjustments for each of the phase, so the entire process is flexible and highly automated. Lingotek also allows users to do translation on its embedded workbench. Translators can have real time editions on the workbench, which is very convenient.
In addition to what I mentioned above, users can also create and manage linguistic tools on Lingotek. For example, users can create Translation memories and Term base in the browser, can these data set can also be downloaded and further imported to CAT tools, such as SDL Trados.
Finally, Lingotek is cloud based. It is an online system, thus the users do not have to install a new application on their desktops. The entire system is easy to access, while people may have to pay for buying license if they want to use some other TMSs.