The Phrase Localization Platform is an AI-powered language platform that integrates translation, scoring, and automation tools in one place for businesses and language service providers. It offers scalability, a vendor-neutral approach, and advanced analytics for performance optimization, with single sign-on to facilitate easy setup.
$27
per month
XTRF
Score 1.0 out of 10
N/A
XTRF is software to manage localization projects for LSPs or a global enterprises, from the company of the same name in Krakow. XTRF enables users to manage cross-time zone language projects, send quotes, hire linguists, give a heads-up to project managers, and manage project deliveries. In addition, you can link your favorite CAT tool to XTRF to make your job a breeze. XTRF is designed to be the backbone of any successful localization business and boasts users among 350 companies worldwide.
I like Memsource because when I am not home and I don't have my laptop, I can borrow a computer, log in to my Memsource account and I'm ready to begin translating. I can even download the source files and check the TM and glossary there. It's not necessary to download the software and lose time on that.
In my experience, XTRF's track record on basic functionality leaves a lot to be desired. Those so-called "smart projects" feel more like needy projects, with limitations popping up at every turn. And don't get me started on the integrations—memoQ? Yeah, I feel like it's a struggle. Customizing notifications? Good luck with that. And as for support, well, let's just say you're better off sending messages to the void.
In the case of EN to JA translation, we enter text and then convert it to get the correct final text (word or phrase) which uses correct Chinese character(s), as there are often multiple Chinese characters with the same reading but different meanings. When those conversion options are displayed, it is usually possible to change our selection among them by hitting the Tab key, but in Memsource, hitting the Tab key makes us leave the text conversion and move to the source segment, so we must make sure to use arrow keys to choose the right conversion option when using Memsource.
When there are tag elements used in the source text, the tags must exist in the target text of course, but the tag order also must be the same. The tags cannot be moved around in the segment, which causes problems in the case of the Japanese language, because the word order differs between EN and JA.
In the Japanese language, Italics are basically not used, so there must be no texts between the tags which specify Italic font. But then the segment cannot be confirmed and the job status cannot be changed to "Complete".
I use and manage an Academic edition (approx. 15 students) and the corporate license (10 users). In both cases, the features are easy to find, set and use. My students and my translators understand the dynamics of the platform easily and get used to them quickly.
It is designed to be a lean system, but that means that things are clustered in weird groups and a lot of trial and error is involved getting the settings right. If something goes wrong first level support is very quick and has very fast answers which are quite typical of first level support and essentially equate to asking you if you have switched it off and on yet. Anything more involved is challenging for support to address.
We rarely use support, but most questions were answered in a timely fashion, although we didn't exactly find them satisfactory. That's mostly the fault of the software and not the Support team because we asked for things that Memsource couldn't do.
It is very expensive and more difficult to navigate. Compared to the other support is slow and ineffective. Dealing with anything more involved is all but impossible. It has become more prone to bugs since being bought by TMS. Support suggests things like "use incognito" mode to log in. Use a different browser to log-in. That is a concern given the customer data involved if things at that level are not being fixed. If that's what it's like in the showroom, what is the kitchen like?
In my opinion, the limitations in functionality, especially with smart projects and integrations with tools like memoQ, have hindered the full realization of its potential.
