When choosing the software for business use, many companies are focusing on the technical side of the task, by checking what the features list. Sometimes this is done even without a testing, by just putting a list of required features with checkboxes, and the tool with bigger number of ticks gets the prize. While such approach is a good element of selection process and makes an excellent reference material in further selection process, it has its faults. Let us explain the point.

Usability

First, the very existence of the features in a Translation business management system (TBMS) does not say anything if they are easy to use for you. Every good TBMS has the same core functionalities (clients and suppliers database and portals, CRM features, project management, invoicing, payments tracking, all sort of financial and production reports, API for integration with other systems etc.) The difference is not the list of features, it’s HOW these features work. Ask yourself:

- How quick can I implement the software in my translation company?

- How long will it take for my team to learn to use it?

- How friendly is the user interface and how much time it takes to make different actions in it (like create a translation project, issue invoice, see sales report etc.)

This can be checked only in real work, or at least you’ll need to simulate the process. But apart from these, there is even bigger elephant in the room…

It’s a service, not software!

Any technology is a piece of junk if you cannot use it. It may glitter brightly, but what’s use of it? Let me share a story… Long long time ago the founder of Protemos bought a the first computer in his life. He never used it before. So he switched it on for the first time in his life and… did not know what to do. He understood that mouse moves the cursor and you can click the icons, but that’s it. He did not know you had to INSTALL the games and MS Word. So he asked his friends to explain everything. And, as might guess, he managed to do it.

So, with a translation business management system or any other specialized software you need such friends who will help you to understand things. And tech support is that friend. A qualified support team will help you with setup and shortening the inevitable learning curve you’ll have when you adopt a new management system in your company. For them, your “difficult” question may be a routine and easy one, just ask and they will explain. It might me that you do not see the feature that you need, or trying things differently, and need a little guidance to smooth everything.

Even more, a good support expert is not just saying you how button works. He may consult you about adopting your internal processes to the functionality of TBMS. Because he’s already talked to dozens of companies like yours, knows how they work and how different the processes might be. In fact, it’s not just tech support, it’s business consulting. And you might google how much a translation business consultant work costs.

Of course, all above also requires quick and timely reaction from the support team. You should not wait days (even hours) to get a reply to your question, especially if it’s an urgent one. The quicker the replies, the better service is.

Summary

So do not trust the features list when you are choosing the translation business management system for your company. It does not say much how satisfied you’ll be with it. Take time to test the tool. But most importantly, test the people you’ll be working with: make a demo meeting, get a trial version of the software, play with it, and keep asking question and extra meetings for your team. If the communication goes smoothly and the support team is helpful and quick, you might be certain that the whole experience of using the system will be rewarding.