XTRF™: Can you tell us how you found out about the XTRF™ and what influenced your decision about choosing this system for ‘iTrex'? 

Weniamin Arkadiewicz Bakaliński: The first time I heard about XTRF™ was in the summer of 2008, when our company were looking for a new project management system.

We needed a tool which would enable our Project Managers to efficiently coordinate and manage the work of our translators. XTRF™ specialists demonstrated how the system worked and what it could do within the company. It was then that I realised how well XTRF™ fits our requirements. Another important factor was the XTRF™ team who are very customer-focused.

XTRF™: ‘iTrex' decided to implement and use the most advanced version of our system - XTRF™-TM. Was it worth it?

Weniamin Arkadiewicz Bakaliński: Yes, it definitely was. XTRF™-TM is a version of XTRF™ Enterprise combined with an external CAT tool (XTM), which is provided by a British company XML-INTL. Even though we are not actually using 100% of all features of this component of the system, it is very useful for our company.
The option of attaching translation memory instrumentarium was one of the criteria that influenced our decision - that's why we chose XTRF™-TM. Undoubtedly, the fact that the translation memory is integrated in the system interface is extremely useful. The whole integration is guaranteed by a single support team, which makes it easier to manage. This is also an additional benefit for our translators who can work more efficiently due to the possibility of using a free CAT tool.
All this enables us to ensure consistent quality with less work and time spent.

XTRF™: Why did you choose XTRF™ integrated with the CAT tool? And how was your decision received by the Project Managers?

Weniamin Arkadiewicz Bakaliński: As I said before - the choice of XTRF™-TM was influenced by the system's excellent features and options. The fact that the system is scalable and web-based was a further advantage. This means that our Project Managers can work either from the office or remotely from home. The features of the system enable not only more efficient teamwork of managers and providers, but they also enable us to take good care of our clients.
Our Project Managers participated in the selection process when we were choosing the system, so their reaction was rather predictable.
It should be noted that each newer XTRF™ version reassures us that our decision was spot on. All improvements and additions to the system meet our requirements perfectly. The system is becoming more and more functional and comfortable to use.

XTRF™: Is it difficult to manage such a huge system in your company and do you need a whole team of technicians to do so?

Weniamin Arkadiewicz Bakaliński: In our company we do not have a single technician who would be responsible for the system. All support comes from the XTRF™ customer service team through the remote access they have to our server. The only thing we need to worry about is to occasionally restart the server on which the system is installed.
Having used the system for over a year now, we not only realised and understood all its features. We also managed to work out a number of actions we can undertake with the help of XTRF™ that will improve our customer service.
The system helps us manage large projects involving simultaneous work of dozens of translators. XTRF™ provides much easier coordination and control over the teams.
Our accountancy department have also enjoyed the positive impact of the XTRF™ implementation. Payment planning, management and control are now over ten times less time-consuming.
At the moment we are not using the option of integrating XTRF™ with the CRM system of the SalesForce platform (offered by the 1.7 version), but we think it is only a matter of time.

Information about the company: High translation quality is a core value of the ‘iTrex' translation agency and all its partners. ‘iTrex' can precisely assess the complexity of each project, and we are honest when discussing terms, conditions and costs with all our clients before we start working on the project. We always deliver on our promises, at every single stage of project realisation. We use a multi-level quality control system for all our projects. Our managers monitor the projects at each and every stage, from beginning to end.

At the moment ‘iTrex' is organising a competition for translators titled: ‘The Melody of Translation.' If you would like to take part in this contest, submit your translation of a poem or a song before 15th December 2009. The winners will receive prizes sponsored by ‘iTrex' and partners of the competition.
We would also like to encourage you to vote for your favourite authors!
Partners of the competition include: XTRF™ Translation Management Systems, ‘Kultura' radio station, ‘Rossii' radio station and the internet edition of ‘Mozgorilla'.

For more information go to: www.itrex.ru