Enterprise Translation Services: Why They Matter and How They Differ
Today, most enterprises target international audiences, which certainly has a number of benefits as far as ROI and expansion to new markets are concerned. Still, the strategy has its challenges, too. For starters, a company must ensure accurate translation of its promotional materials into new languages. With so many digital channels to cover, including corporate website content, blogs, and social media posts, this is already a lot of work.
However, enterprise translation services are not just about localizing marketing materials. It is a far more complicated process that requires regular, ongoing attention and strategizing. Below, we will explain what enterprise translation services are, how they differ from other translation services, and how a careful strategy can help enterprises succeed in multi-cultural settings.
What Are Enterprise Translation Services?
In a nutshell, enterprise translation services are ongoing translations of all company materials, starting with marketing content and business documentation. Depending on business specifics, internal documentation may also need translation. For example, a company may need to adjust its project management tools or redesign existing workflows to meet the needs of its different international divisions.
The details may differ, but the key aspects of enterprise translation services usually include:
- High volume of translations: enterprises depend on data, so the sheer volume of documentation is higher compared to small and mid-business segments.
- Scalability: this feature is important for all businesses, but on the enterprise level, quick scalability of internal processes is a must. So, translation services must have their own scalable routines to adapt if the translation volume or turnaround times suddenly change.
- Integration: one of the primary features of enterprise-level translations is the ability to integrate translated materials into existing company routines, including content management systems (CMS), marketing automation tools, customer support platforms, or any other tools the organization works with.
- Consistency: with considerable translation volumes, ensuring consistency in industry terms and overall brand voice can become challenging. That is why it is so important to use reliable service providers who track translation history, follow the terminology, and understand the organization’s short- and long-term goals.
Why Are Enterprise Translation Services Vital for a Company?
The first reason is to expand a company’s reach and potentially increase its ROI. However, there are other benefits of going with professional enterprise translation services, such as:
Compliance with different regulations
Many industries operate under strict regulatory frameworks that differ from country to country. Besides, when translating marketing materials, it is important to follow data protection laws, which differ for the European Union, the US, and other legislations. If there is one thing these laws have in common, it is that they grow ever more stringent. An experienced translation agency can guide the organization not only through cultural and linguistic nuances of speaking to its audience but also through the legal maze of following different government regulations.
Adjusting complex workflows
Large corporations don’t deal with huge volumes of content; this content comes in multiple forms, i.e., technical manuals, marketing campaigns, training materials, client contacts, NDAs, and much more. Managing this volume requires multiple translators and, often, experienced project managers with niche-specific understanding to oversee their work.
Protecting sensitive data
Most internal data that flows within an organization is highly sensitive. First, it is important to minimize cybersecurity risks that still pose a major concern for businesses in the 2020s. For this, professional enterprise translation services use secure data-handling processes, encrypt files, and follow rigorous privacy protocols to protect sensitive information. Next, it is also essential to prevent unauthorized use of data, so assigning the task to individual contractors is not always a safe option. Working with an agency, however, can minimize the risks of data leaks, both on a technical and human level.
Best Practices for Implementing Enterprise Translation
No business is like the other, and translating enterprise documentation is not an exception. A lot will depend on volume, turnaround time, and industry specifics. Still, these practices can ensure everything goes smoothly when you are just getting started with a new service provider.
Set clear terminology and style guidelines
Brand-specific glossaries, style guides, and branding guidelines can help translators grasp the essence of your business and follow the tone consistently in all of their future works. Organizations that already have these materials can accelerate the pace of translation projects because such insight helps translators jump straight to business. But you can also set up guidelines and glossaries when you find a reliable service provider – the agency will guide you through this process step-by-step.
Invest in the right tools
A carefully chosen translation management system (TMS) can automate workflows and help with content localization. If you do not have a set-up TMS, you can always rely on the translating agency workflows. Still, keeping internal track of enterprise translation projects is a very good policy you should not ignore.
Run pilot projects
Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket – at least, not straightaway. Before embarking on a long-term collaboration with any translation agency, run a test project. Give the collaboration a few weeks or months, but do not get frustrated if things don’t run smoothly from day one. Keep in mind that you will need to set your own routines and establish best collaboration practices before you start reaping the rewards of this collaboration.
Regularly review and update workflows
Once things start running smoothly, you may feel there is no more need for monitoring. With a reliable translation service provider, it’s true – to some extent. You still have to oversee the agency’s work to make sure your collaboration evolves instead of stagnating. Besides, businesses never stand still, so there is always room for improvement, even when established routines are already functional.
Enterprise translation services are an organization’s gateway to new markets. However, to reach an international audience, businesses first need an experienced provider to guide them through the translation maze.