If your translation process still runs through spreadsheets, email threads, and a lot of manual chasing, growth adds friction instead of removing it. This guide walks through how to figure out if it's time for a change, what a modern translation management system actually includes, and how to compare vendors against your own criteria.


Whether you're building your first localization program or scaling one that's already stretched thin, you'll come away with a clear, repeatable process for making the call.

Inside, you'll find:

  • A four-step framework for evaluating TMS vendors

  • A build vs. buy framework for deciding if in-house makes sense

  • A breakdown of what marketing, localization, and development teams need

  • The questions worth asking every vendor on your shortlist

  • A checklist covering integrations, quality tooling, AI governance, and security

 

Ready to choose with confidence?

Get the full guide and start evaluating vendors against your own framework.


 

Dúvidas frequentes

How do you know it's time for a TMS?
If you're relying on a spreadsheet-to-email workflow, or a system that needs engineering support for every task, it's a sign your process has outgrown its tools. This guide helps you evaluate whether a modern TMS fits where your program is headed, not just where it stands today.
Build vs. buy: how to decide
Building a translation system in-house sounds appealing until you count the engineering hours, the ongoing maintenance, and the opportunity cost. The guide includes a simple, six-question framework for making this call with your eyes open.
What does a modern TMS actually include?
At its core, a TMS should bring translation management, translator tools, linguistic asset management, and analytics into one system. The guide breaks down what each of these looks like in practice, and how they change day-to-day work for developers, marketers, and localization teams.
What should you ask vendors?
Once you have a shortlist, the right questions separate real capability from a polished demo. The guide covers what to ask about integrations, quality measurement, linguistic assets, reporting, security, and whether a vendor offers translation services alongside their software.