13/06/2023

oneSuite is our proprietary browser-based translation and localisation system for professional use. Sylvia Schumacher, our Head of Technology & Processes, plays a key role in developing and refining the software. So, although it’s a collaborative effort with many components, in a practical sense oneSuite is her masterpiece and that’s what we discussed.

oneword: Hello Sylvia. Even for us, as oneword insiders, oneSuite is such a multi-faceted and component-rich system that we can hardly describe its possibilities in two sentences, so thank you very much for allowing us to ask you a few questions about it – and here’s the first: How would you describe oneSuite in a nutshell?

Sylvia Schumacher: Phew. (Laughs) Well… oneSuite is a unique and hugely practical translation and localisation system for optimal translation processes and results. It integrates all the necessary components and functions, as well as numerous additional ones, seamlessly together in one “suite”.

ow: A print-ready definition. And what components does oneSuite consist of?

SS: As things stand, oneSuite consists of five components that logically interlock and complement each other, if that’s what you want. For example, there is the online correction platform oneReview, which makes it possible to check translation results easily and conveniently in the layout and to make final corrections. Then there’s oneTerm, a complete solution for terminology management and terminology work, providing a simple, fast and resource-saving way to get started with terminology management. Our online solution oneTranslate enables fast and convenient, but above all data-secure and terminology-compliant machine translation. There’s also oneMemory, the translation memory component that can be used by clients as a reference resource or for TM maintenance. And finally, oneCAT, the convenient browser solution for client employees who occasionally produce translations themselves in a professional environment using all language resources, including machine translation.

ow: The fact that the components are logically connected and integrate all areas of technology-based translation and localisation does not mean that everything has to be used together, does it?

SS: Exactly. Above all, it means that you can choose the most convenient way of using the suite of applications and these can be combined and applied according to specific needs. The focus is entirely on the practical benefits.

ow: Speaking of practical benefits: oneSuite is a tool from the industry for the industry. What would you say are the particular aspects that demonstrate this?

SS: You can’t explain that in two sentences because you can see it in several aspects. First of all, the fact that an entire consortium of language service providers provided the impetus for such a comprehensive translation solution – the basis of oneSuite is, after all, the open-source translation system translate5 – and everyone involved contributed their expert knowledge.
So there is a lot of expertise in this that takes into account the requirements of both clients and translators, because as a language service provider we are, in a way, the interface between these two groups. We also see ourselves as multipliers, because we translate countless projects on behalf of many industrial clients. This means that we always have a higher throughput than any company with its own individual translation needs. And that is why oneSuite is also designed to handle large volumes.

Then – very importantly – there are no user licences, especially not for translators, but simply a complete package of practical benefits for all users.
Another feature is the enormous flexibility of the individual components. Unlike conventional proprietary systems, the components can be combined and adapted as required – or used individually. Even the look can be customised to suit the individual company’s corporate identity.

In addition, the system is functionally expandable. Interfaces to numerous other systems are either already available or programmable – external systems and services that are already in use can therefore be integrated and automated at any time.

And finally, the system has a number of additional functions and special features that optimally support day-to-day project and translation management and also take into account processes at industry-client level.

ow: Can you give us an example?

SS: One example would be the integration of relay languages for reviews by external revisers, because of course not everyone understands the source text or language.

ow: While we’re on the subject, what other special features does oneSuite offer?

SS: A truly unique feature of oneSuite is the real-time preview of the texts to be translated and checked in the layout. This function facilitates the understanding of the text enormously, because it appears in context and so can be corrected more easily and directly in the layout.

Another special feature is a workflow for suggesting, checking and approving terms. In the oneTerm component, these can easily be created as a translation project to have them translated into other languages and fed back into the database. Terminology can also be checked in the source text itself, something that is really not possible in any other translation tool.

Another helpful feature for flexible adaptability is the fact that the software architecture of the system is based on the container principle, but that would go beyond the scope of this article. For more information, I recommend our blog post on the topic.

ow: And what is your personal favourite feature?

SS: That’s a difficult question. New features are added almost weekly, firstly through the consortium’s roadmap and secondly through requests from the user community, because any feature that industry clients commission becomes available to everyone. But one of my personal highlights is definitely the translation of video subtitles.

ow: Since you mentioned the roadmap: What is the collaboration like in such a consortium?

SS: Very productive and fruitful. This is where the concentrated expertise of language service providers with different focal points really comes together. With different weightings of course, because different features take priority for each member – which always leads to a packed roadmap. The features are prioritised and implemented from a filled funding pot, and because new members are also constantly being added, the funding grows with the membership.

ow: Does there always have to be a consensus for everything?

SS: No. The only and most important consensus is that we strive to continuously improve the main features. The consortium members have no influence on this, and that’s a good thing. As I mentioned before, special features are commissioned by individual companies – these can also be external industrial companies – and brought forward depending on their financial strength. There does not have to be a consensus here. Decisions in the consortium are made jointly in line with the majority principle.

ow: What options are there for implementing individual requirements?

SS: Individual requirements are actually quite simply commissioned and financed. And because translate5, the basis of oneSuite, works on the open source principle, these individually desired new features are then available to everyone. Everyone benefits from this with each new release – and at the same time everyone contributes to the continuous improvement of the tool.

ow: Do we continue to use other CAT tools at oneword?

SS: Of course. If customers are already successfully using another solution, it would be counterproductive to persuade them to change. We always use the most suitable tool for our clients. We use all the standard tools on the market, such as Trados Studio, Across, Transit and Passolo. Of course, we can also respond flexibly to less well-known, customised solutions. After all, being able to connect to a large variety of tools is one of the advantages of oneSuite.

ow: How do we decide which tool to use for which project?

SS: We always decide individually according to the requirements, i.e. based on the customer’s specifications, the processes, but also the practicability and the people and systems involved.

ow: So, perhaps to summarise again: What do you expect from oneSuite?

SS: A better world! (Laughs) But seriously, our vision is to create a solid and flexibly adaptable tool for all conceivable customer requirements that does not entail any licensing costs for translators.

With oneSuite, we have the opportunity to advance and implement functions that are lacking in other tools or that simply make everyday work easier. The goal is a tool that makes daily work fun because it can do exactly what our customers, our partners and we ourselves want and need.

ow: A perfect conclusion. Thank you for this insightful conversation.

Do you have extensive translation and localisation work that requires multiple applications to be connected in a meaningful way? Then talk to us and get to know oneSuite. Our experts will be happy to advise you on solutions and options.