What Is Memsource (Now Phrase TMS)? How Does a Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) Tool Differ from a Translation Management System (TMS)?

1. What Is Memsource (Now Phrase TMS)?

Memsource is a system launched in the Czech Republic in 2010 to support translation work. It is a cloud-based computer-assisted translation (CAT) tool that also serves as a translation management system (TMS).

This tool is equipped with various features to centrally manage the entire translation process. For example, it offers project management capabilities, translation memory features, glossary management functions, machine translation capabilities, and more. These features not only improve the quality of translation work but can also help you save time and money.

Memsource is cloud-based, so there is no need for installation or setup, and it can be used anytime, anywhere. Since data and files are managed in the cloud, you can use it with peace of mind in terms of information security. Additionally, the company provides an API, allowing you to integrate it with other systems. It is used by many companies and translators globally.

Since the project manager licenses include translator licenses, translators can use Memsource for free. Generally, it is common for a company's translation department or a translation company to purchase a license and lend the translator licenses to translators for free.

In 2021, Memsource acquired its competitor Phrase, and it has now been renamed as Phrase TMS.

2. Translation Tool Types: CAT Tools Vs. Translation Management Systems

Computer-assisted translation tools (CAT tools) can improve the efficiency and quality of translation work by providing features such as translation memory and glossaries. They are mainly used by translators and reviewers. For more details, check out our blog article "What Are CAT Tools? Introducing the Benefits and Drawbacks".

 

A translation management system (TMS) is a system that allows translation project managers to efficiently manage translation projects. Project managers can track the progress of translation projects, manage translators' schedules, and control the quality of translation work. Phrase TMS is a cloud-based translation management systems used to efficiently manage translation projects. For more details, check out our blog article "What Is a Translation Management System".

 

Phrase TMS can also link with automatic translation software. Automatic translation uses machine learning and natural language processing technologies to enable computers to perform translations instead of humans. "Automatic translation" is also referred to as "machine translation" or "MT". In recent years, far more natural translation results have been achieved by training neural networks inspired by the human brain on a large volume of translation corpora (source texts and their translations). However, automatic translation cannot provide perfect translations, and human verification is still necessary. Automatic translation services represented by DeepL and Google are particularly well-known.

Human Science offers a product called MTrans for Phrase TMS, which enables the use of machine translation with Phrase TMS. You can utilize multiple machine translation engines and improve the accuracy of those machine translations by using the glossary and style replacement features. For more details, please visit the product page for MTrans for Phrase TMS.

3. Capabilities and Features of Phrase TMS

Neural machine translation: PhraseTMS supports neural machine translation and can automatically generate high-quality translations. Neural machine translation uses neural networks to perform translations, providing more natural translations compared to traditional machine translation.

 

Translation memory: By using translation memory, you can reuse the text of previously translated documents. Translation memory helps maintain consistency in translations when translating revised or similar documents, and it also improves translation efficiency. If a translator modifies a machine-translated text, the revised translation is recorded in the translation memory and can be reused in the future, thereby improving translation accuracy. This reduces the need for human revisions, once again improving translation efficiency.

 

Document formats: Phrase TMS can translate documents in a wide range of formats. The document formats that it supports include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF, HTML, XML, and more.

 

Multilingual support: Phrase TMS supports over 100 languages, making it easy to manage multilingual translation projects.

 

Centralized data management: Phrase TMS is the ideal tool for managing large-scale translation projects. It enables you to manage translation projects, translation memories, glossaries, and more from a single location, so multiple translators can contribute to the same project, and multiple projects can advance simultaneously. By using it continuously, data accumulates, and the efficiency and quality of translations steadily improve. Additionally, because the data is centrally managed in the cloud, the information security measures are also top notch.

4. What Are the Benefits of Phrase TMS?

1. Affordable pricing Phrase TMS is priced affordably compared to other similar software. Companies and individuals can start using it with just a small investment, making it easy to implement, even for those using Phrase TMS for the first time.

 

2. Mobile app
Phrase TMS is available as a mobile app, allowing you to check your work progress from anywhere. You can work not only in the office, but also while you're at home or on the go, enabling a flexible work style.

 

3. High operability with simple UI and fast performance
Phrase TMS is multifunctional, but the UI is designed for quick access to all the necessary features. The simplicity and high operability, together with its fast performance, enable smooth progress through translation projects, without stress.

 

4. Security measures
Phrase TMS has robust security measures in place. It is ISO 27001 certified, and all of the data it contains is encrypted, thereby reducing the risk of information leaks and unauthorized access from external sources.

 

5. Benefits by position
Phrase TMS offers different benefits for each job position. For example, project managers can manage projects more efficiently, while translators can improve the efficiency of their translation work. Additionally, quality control personnel are provided with features that help improve translation quality, enabling overall project efficiency and quality enhancement in translation operations.

5. Summary

Phrase TMS provides an affordable and high-quality translation management system (TMS) to help companies efficiently manage their translation projects. With its simple user interface and the availability of a mobile app, usability and accessibility are enhanced. Plus, robust security measures are in place. Different benefits are provided to the various job positions, from project managers to translators, quality assurance personnel, and more, helping to improve efficiency and quality throughout the entire translation process.

At Human Science, we can help you implement Phrase TMS, based on our years of experience as a translation company. We also offer a machine translation solution called MTrans for Phrase TMS, which allows you to use machine translation services such as DeepL, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and NAVER Papago within Phrase TMS, as well as post-editing services. Please feel free to contact us to set up a free trial.

 

Related Services

MTrans for Phrase TMS