Bureau Works vs. Phrase

Introduction

Phrase is a popular tool for developers who launch global-ready products. It facilitates the continuous localization process, allowing developers to seamlessly integrate translation workflows into their development cycles. With its intuitive interface and developer-friendly features, Phrase has become a go-to solution for many software development teams.

However, when it comes to catering to the needs of language professionals, Phrase falls short compared to other translation and localization management systems like Bureau Works. Translation and localization management systems are designed specifically to streamline the translation and localization workflows for language professionals, providing advanced features and functionalities that enhance their efficiency, focus, and productivity.

Bureau Works, for instance, offers a comprehensive set of tools for translators, editors, and project managers. It provides advanced translation memory and translated terminology management capabilities, ensuring consistent and accurate translations across projects. Additionally, Bureau Works offers collaborative features, for example, allowing multiple linguists to work together on the same project, ensuring better quality control and faster turnaround times.

Furthermore, Bureau Works integrates with machine translation engines and provides post-editing capabilities, enabling translators to leverage the benefits of unprecedented levels of automation while maintaining the required level of linguistic quality. It also offers project management functionalities, including resource allocation, deadline tracking, and reporting, making it easier for language professionals to manage their projects efficiently.

While Phrase is a valuable tool for developers to translate, its feature set for language professionals to translate may not be as robust as that of ai, one of translation management systems like Bureau Works. Depending on the specific needs of a project, developers, translators, and language professionals may choose to utilize both tools in tandem to achieve a seamless localization process while maximizing efficiency, cost, and linguistic quality.

Overview

Created by Dynport and based in Hamburg, Germany, Phrase is an app-localization system designed by a group of developers with developers in mind. Originally an internal solution for localizing the start-up’s software, the app was developed into a more feature-rich platform supporting continuous localization scenarios for mobile and Web apps. Features such as in-context editing, extensive integrations, numerous SDKs and Web frameworks, and the constant addition of new functions and integrations set Phrase apart from many of its competitors. The service falls short when it comes to the language side of things. Many functions and features that localization project managers and translators place value on and have come to expect from such platforms—multistep workflows, automation, a professional translation environment, advanced QA, and terminology functions—have not yet made it to the platform.

Bureau Works was built by a next-generation translation and localization company. The organization offers a platform that caters to all localization and translation workflow roles: project managers, translators, and developers.

Key Differences Between Bureau Works and Phrase

Bureau Works and Phrase are two popular platforms used in the localization and translation industry. While both platforms offer solutions for businesses and individuals working on localization projects, they have several key differences. This article will explore these differences and discuss how they impact various aspects of the localization, translation industry, and workflow.

The Business Technology Side:

Business Solutions

1.1 Bureau Works

Bureau Works provides comprehensive business solutions for its clients. It offers billing, invoicing, and payment processing features, making it easier for businesses to manage their financial transactions. Clients can also benefit from a client portal that provides instant quotes and a budget control section, allowing them to have better control over their localization costs.

1.2 Phrase

Phrase also offers some business solutions but focuses more on the localization process. While it provides options for project cost management, individual cost and string assignment, cost reporting, and statistics, it lacks the extensive financial features of Bureau Works. Phrase does not have built-in billing and payment processing functions or a dedicated client portal function for managing budgets and quotes.

Project Management Capabilities

2.1 Bureau Works

Bureau Works differentiates itself with its project management capabilities. It offers its project managers, templates, and customizable workflows to streamline and standardize the localization process. These features enable businesses to create efficient and consistent workflows, saving time and effort. Bureau Works also provides functions that support collaboration with external vendors, facilitating smooth communication and coordination.

2.2 Phrase

Phrase also provides project management features, including individual string assignments and options for reporting errors and performance statistics. However, it lacks the project templates and customizable workflows Bureau Works offers. While it still allows businesses to manage their localization projects effectively, the absence of these advanced project management capabilities may require more manual effort and customization.

Automation and Integration

3.1 Bureau Works

Bureau Works excels in automation by offering various possibilities for automating various stages of the localization and translation workflow. It provides features such as the client-translator matchup, automatically assigning translators to specific projects based on their expertise. Additionally, Bureau Works is compatible with Zapier, enabling seamless integration with other tools and systems.

3.2 Phrase

While Phrase offers some automation capabilities, it is not as extensive as Bureau Works. The platform's Over the Air (OTA) feature allows for updates to translations in Android and iOS apps, but it does not provide the same level of automation options as Bureau Works. Phrase primarily focuses on streamlining the localization process rather than offering advanced automation features.

Data Security and On-Premise Solution

4.1 Bureau Works

Bureau Works prioritizes data security by offering a secure environment for its clients' localization projects. However, it does not provide an on-premise solution. This means that clients' data is stored and processed securely within Bureau Works' infrastructure, but they do not have the option to host the platform on their servers.

4.2 Phrase

In contrast, Phrase offers an on-premise solution for clients requiring more performance and higher data security levels. This option allows businesses to host the platform on their servers, giving them greater control over their data. However, choosing the on-premise solution in Phrase may limit an organization's access to certain features, such as machine translation and integration with design tools like Figma.

Integration with Other Systems

5.1 Bureau Works

Bureau Works is designed to integrate smoothly with various systems commonly used by businesses. It is compatible with popular content management systems (CMS) such as AEM, Drupal, and WordPress. Additionally, Bureau Works supports integration with marketing automation solutions like HubSpot and Marketo, enabling businesses to streamline their localization efforts within their existing workflows.

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5.2 Phrase

While Phrase offers a range of mobile app software development kits (SDKs) and web app frameworks, it lacks dedicated connectors to CMS or solutions for marketing automation. Businesses using Phrase may need more time and effort in custom integrations to connect the platform with their existing systems.

Multimedia and In-Context Previews

6.1 Bureau Works

Bureau Works leads multimedia localization with its preview tools for videos and subtitles. This feature allows businesses to review, translate and validate multimedia content within the platform, ensuring accurate localization. While Bureau Works also provides in-context previews for web-based translated content, its focus on multimedia sets it apart in this aspect.

6.2 Phrase

Phrase offers in-context previews for web-based content, allowing translators and reviewers to see how the translated strings will appear in the target language in the final context. Moreover, Phrase provides plug-ins for design tools like Sketch and Figma, enabling designers to work seamlessly with the localization process. However, it does not provide the same multimedia localization features as Bureau Works.

The Language Technology Side

Terminology Management

1.1 Bureau Works

Bureau Works stands out in terminology management with its comprehensive features. The platform offers a terminology workflow that allows users to create, manage, and maintain terminology databases. Additionally, Bureau Works provides term extraction capabilities, automatically identifying words and extracting terms from source texts. Users can also link media, such as images or videos, to term entries, providing better context and understanding of words for translators.

1.2 Phrase

Phrase offers basic terminology functionality in the form of a glossary. However, its options are minimal compared to Bureau Works. Phrase provides a single field for additional information related to terms. Regarding importing terminology data, Phrase requires a manual CSV file process.

Quality Assurance

2.1 Bureau Works

Bureau Works pays for high-quality translations with significant attention to quality assurance in the translation process. The platform offers automated QA checks to ensure the accuracy, high-quality translations, and consistency. Additionally, users have customization options to tailor the QA checks according to their specific requirements. Bureau Works provides:

• A built-in spellchecker.
• AI-driven predictive quality estimation.
• The option to integrate third-party QA tools for even more robust quality control.

2.2 Phrase

Phrase also incorporates quality assurance features into its platform. For example, Users can benefit from automated QA checks to identify potential translation errors or inconsistencies. However, the customization options for QA checks in Phrase are relatively more limited than in Bureau Works. While Phrase supports the integration of third-party QA tools, it may not offer the same level of built-in quality assurance capabilities as Bureau Works.

AI Integration (Especially Machine Translation)

3.1 Bureau Works

Machine translation plays a crucial role in speeding up the translation process. Bureau Works recognizes this and offers machine translation features within its platform. Users can leverage the platform's MT engine routing functionality, which allows them to choose the most suitable machine translation engine for their translation projects. This tailored approach ensures better translation quality and accuracy in the target language.

3.2 Phrase

Phrase also provides machine translation features to support the translation process. However, compared to Bureau Works, Phrase offers a single built-in machine translation option. While this can still be useful, Bureau Works' MT engine routing gives users more flexibility and control over the machine translation aspect of their project workflow.

Transforming Complex Translations

4.1 Bureau Works

Bureau Works excels in handling complex translation projects. The platform offers advanced features and capabilities that allow users to tackle complex linguistic challenges. It supports translating technical documents, legal texts, medical content, and more. Bureau Works' specialized workflows and customizable processes enable efficient handling of complex translations, ensuring accuracy and consistency across multiple languages.

4.2 Phrase

Phrase also caters to complex translation projects; although its approach transforms complex translation processes, it may differ from Bureau Works. The platform provides tools and functionalities to manage intricate translations effectively. With its user-friendly interface and collaboration features, Phrase allows teams to collaborate on transforming complex translation projects, facilitating seamless communication and coordination. While it may not offer the same specialized workflows as Bureau Works, Phrase still supports translating complex content across various domains.

Unprecedented Levels of Localization Management

5.1 Bureau Works

Bureau Works takes localization management to new heights with its comprehensive suite of features. The platform offers end-to-end solutions for managing localization projects, from project setup to final delivery. Users can track progress, manage deadlines, allocate resources, and collaborate seamlessly within the platform. Bureau Works' intuitive interface and robust project management tools ensure streamlined localization workflows, maximizing efficiency and minimizing costs.

5.2 Phrase

Phrase also provides a range of localization management features to facilitate efficient project coordination. Users can oversee the translation process, assign tasks, and monitor progress within the platform. Phrase's collaborative features enable real-time communication among team members, enhancing productivity and ensuring project success. While it may not offer the same extensive features as Bureau Works, Phrase still delivers effective localization management solutions for businesses and individuals.

Multilingual Capabilities

6.1 Bureau Works

Bureau Works supports various languages, enabling users to undertake translation projects in multiple target languages. The platform caters to a diverse linguistic landscape, providing language resources, translation assets, and linguistic expertise for various language pairs. Whether translating content into commonly spoken languages for new markets or handling less widely used languages, Bureau Works delivers comprehensive multilingual capabilities.

6.2 Phrase

Phrase also offers multilingual support, allowing users to work on translation projects involving different target languages. The platform provides the infrastructure and tools to handle translations across diverse linguistic contexts. Phrase's language management features enable users to manage and organize translation assets for different languages easily, ensuring smooth localization workflows.

Advancements in the Translation Process

7.1 Bureau Works

Bureau Works leverages innovative technologies and automation to accelerate growth and enhance the translation process. The platform integrates machine translation, artificial intelligence, and natural language processing technologies to streamline and expedite translations. Bureau Works' automation features, such as intelligent content matching and automated project setup, contribute to faster turnaround times and improved translation quality.

7.2 Phrase

Phrase also embraces advancements in the translation process to facilitate efficiency and accuracy. While it may not offer the same level of automation as Bureau Works, Phrase integrates machine translation capabilities to assist translators and speed up the translation process. Users can leverage machine translation suggestions, post-editing functionalities, and other intelligent features to optimize their own translation workflow.

By expanding the content with these additional subheadings, we have provided a more comprehensive overview of the language technology side of both Bureau Works and Phrase, highlighting their strengths and capabilities in various other tech aspects of the whole translation tech industry and localization tech process.

Conclusion

For developers just getting started in localization, the array of toolkits, supported formats, and options for in-context editing make Phrase an appealing platform. But Bureau Works takes the lead regarding features and tools crucial for successful localization and clearly demonstrates its language-engineering expertise in its project management workflows, workflow automation, integration capabilities, MT engine routing, and functionalities that support both the translation process and QA workflow. It is therefore safe to say Bureau Works is best suitable compared to Phrase to handle localization for enterprises with these features.

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