Our top frequently asked questions

1. What is included in SDL Trados Studio 2011?
2. What happens to SDL Trados 2007 Suite?
3. Do you offer people who become SDL Certified help in getting translation work?
4. If I do not purchase a Software and Maintenance agreement how do I resolve technical issues?
5. Do I have to buy an upgrade each year?
6. What does Certification mean and do I really need it?
7. Where and how can I purchase a Software and Maintenance agreement on your website?
8. What are the system requirements for SDL Trados Studio 2011?
9. Can there be more than one instance of SDL Trados Studio Freelance running on the same network, at the same time?
10. What are the differences between Freelance and Professional versions?
    

What is included in SDL Trados Studio 2011?
SDL Trados Studio 2011 includes the following applications: SDL Trados Studio, SDL MultiTerm 2011, SDL Trados WinAlign, SDL Passolo Essential. For all upgrades SDL Trados 2007 Suite will also be included. For new licenses, there is a choice of a more competitively priced edition without SDL Trados 2007 Suite and one that includes it.

What happens to SDL Trados 2007 Suite?
Existing customers of SDL Trados 2007 Suite or SDL Trados Studio 2009 will be able to continue to use SDL Trados 2007 Suite which they already own. When purchasing a full license of, or upgrade to SDL Trados Studio 2011 you will be able to choose between an SDL Trados Studio 2011 only version and one which contains SDL Trados 2007 Suite. 

• SDL Trados Studio 2011 standalone has a lower price point and contains features such as WinAlign and the ability to work and save legacy file formats. 
• SDL Trados Studio 2011 with SDL Trados 2007 Suite contains the full SDL Trados 2007 Suite product and could be useful in specific cases such as when connecting to older enterprise or server systems or if continuing to work in Translator’s Workbench/TagEditor.

Do you offer people who become SDL Certified help in getting translation work?
The SDL Certification program has been developed with the aim of helping freelance translators achieve their professional development and career advancement goals. Additionally, all major translation community websites such as Proz.com, Aquarius, TRADUguide, have recognized the importance of technology certification, alongside linguistic credentials, and have added fields to display SDL Certification in their translator’s profile areas. Search results from these websites have shown that outsourcers actively look for individuals who have the SDL Certification credential as a means of validating their level of expertize in the world's leading translation technology tools.

If I do not purchase a Software and Maintenance agreement, how do I resolve technical issues?
If you choose not to purchase a Software and Maintenance agreement then you will be able to receive technical assistance by logging into your SDL account, visiting the "My Support" area and searching for answers in the SDL Knowledge Base. If you have a licensing and installation issue you can navigate through the Solution Finder to resolve any problems.

Do I have to buy an upgrade each year?
If you own a Software and Maintenance agreement, then you will automatically receive free upgrades as soon as new versions of your SDL products are released. If you do not own Software and Maintenance agreement, then we recommend that you upgrade your software regularly so you can benefit from new features that help to increase efficiency and quality of your translation projects.

What does SDL Certification mean and do I really need it?
SDL Certification is the industry’s premier technology-based professional education program, which provides a recognized standard of excellence in SDL software knowledge. It is designed to develop and validate expertize in the use of SDL translation technology tools.

Where and how can I purchase a Software and Maintenance agreement on your website?
It is not currently possible to purchase a Software and mainenance agreement online.  You can however purchase a S&Ma by contacting one of our Contracts and Renewals Executives by telephone on +44 (0)1628 416338 or by email.

What are the system requirements for SDL Trados Studio 2011?
SDL Trados Studio supports Microsoft Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7. As minimum requirements, we recommend a Pentium IV-based computer with 1 GB RAM and a screen resolution of 1280x1024. For optimum performance, we recommend 2 GB RAM and a more recent Pentium or compatible processor.

Please also note that in order to extract and add terminology to SDL MultiTerm you must be using SDL MultiTerm Extract. Previous versions of SDL MultiTerm Extract will not work with SDL MultiTerm.

Can there be more than one instance of SDL Trados Studio Freelance running on the same network, at the same time?
Multiple instances are only possible on a Workgroup based (Peer-to-Peer) network, such as a home router on a home wireless network. If you require multiple instances operating on a domain based network, a Professional version is required.

What are the differences between Freelance and Professional versions?
A list of differences between the freelance and the professional version can be found on this page under the version tab. Also note that the freelance version is named to an individual rather than a company and does not operate in a domain based network.

Product related frequently asked questions

1. What is translation memory?
2. What is terminology management?
3. What is Computer Assisted Translation (CAT)?
4. What is automated translation?
5. What are the system requirements for SDL Trados Studio Professional?
6. Does SDL Trados Studio Professional work on a Macintosh?
7. What happened to SDLX and Trados Translator's WorkBench?
8. How many languages does the software handle?
9. Why do I need SDL Trados Studio Professional?
10. Can you open other CAT tools memories with SDL Trados Studio software? Can you combine the memory from SDL Trados Studio and other CAT Tools to form a larger SDL Trados Studio memory?
11. Do I need to upgrade Trados 5.5 to open and work on Framemaker 8 files?
12. How many separate installations does one license allow?
13. What are the differences between Freelance and Professional versions?

What is a translation memory?
A translation memory (TM) is a linguistic database that continually captures your translations as you work for future use. All previous translations are accumulated within the translation memory (in source and target language pairs called translation units) and reused so that you never have to translate the same sentence twice. The more you build up your translation memory, the faster you can translate subsequent translations, enabling you to take on more projects and increase your revenue.

What is terminology management?
Terminology is the foundation of all communication. At its most basic level it is the study and ultimately usage of words or phrases that have a particular meaning, these words or phrases are referred to as terms. Terminology is growing in importance as terms are becoming increasingly adopted by organizations to describe a company, product, service or even a unique selling point.

What is Computer Assisted Translation (CAT)?
Computer Assisted Translation is the technology, such as a translation memory or termbase, used to support a human translator to translate files. CAT tools can be used to ensure speed, quality and consistency during the translation process.

What is automated translation? 
Automated translation utilizes machine technology to instantly provide a translation. SDL Trados Studio integrates automated translation with translation memory and terminology management, saving considerable costs.

What are the system requirements for SDL Trados Studio Professional?
SDL Trados Studio supports Microsoft Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7. As minimum requirements, we recommend a Pentium IV-based computer with 1 GB RAM and a screen resolution of 1280x1024. For optimum performance, we recommend 2 GB RAM and a more recent Pentium or compatible processor.

Please also note that in order to extract and add terminology to SDL MultiTerm 2011 you must be using SDL MultiTerm Extract 2011. Previous versions of SDL MultiTerm Extract will not work with SDL MultiTerm 2011.

Does SDL Trados Studio work on a Macintosh?
SDL Trados Studio is not officially supported on an Apple Mac, however we do have good working solutions. Visit our dedicated support page to discover how to run SDL Trados Studio on an Apple Mac.

What happened to SDLX and Translator’s Workbench?
SDL Trados Studio brings together the best of SDLX and Trados in one new environment. In the new environment you will be able to more easily translated, edit, review and manage localization projects. SDL Trados Studio brings significant productivity enhancements to both translators and project managers.

However SDL Trados 2007 Suite is included in your purchase (this includes SDLX and Translator's Workbench) and it will be fully functional on a permanent basis. 

How many languages does SDL Trados Studio Professional handle?
With SDL Trados Studio Professional, you can work with an unlimited number of languages. Follow the link for a list of languages available.

Why do I need SDL Trados Studio Professional?
SDL Trados Studio Professional is designed to accelerate the translation process, increasing your productivity and efficiency! It also has automated quality checks, helping you to ensure your translations are of the highest standard and win more business! 

Can I open other CAT tools translation memories with SDL Trados Studio software? Can you combine translation memories from other CAT Tools and SDL Trados Studio to create a larger translation memory with SDL Trados Studio 2009 Professional?
You can open a other CAT tools translation memories memory using SDL Trados software via TMX (Translation Memory Exchange). SDL Trados supports TMX level 1.4b, the latest standard of TMX. In order to combine your other memories and SDL Trados translation memories, you will need to export your translation memories into TMX format and then import them into your new or existing file within SDL Trados Studio.

Do I need to upgrade Trados 5.5 to open and work on Framemaker 8 files?
In order to work with Adobe FrameMaker 8.0 you will need to have at least SDL Trados 2007 Service Pack 2 installed.

How many separate installations does one license allow?
You can install SDL Trados Studio Professional on more than one computer. However you can activate the license on only one PC at any one time. You can however move the activation licenses as many times as you like from one PC to another.

In order to change your license from one computer to another you will need to return the license ‘activation’ code on the computer where the software is currently installed, before reactivating it on another computer. Please follow the instructions below to complete this process:

Finding your activation code:
1. Visit: https://oos.sdl.com/asp/products/ssl/account/default.asp
2. Login to your account
3. Go to "My Licenses"
4. You will see your new SDL Trados Studio activation code in the "My Product Activation Codes" section.
5. Please copy your Activation Code in to your clipboard (Highlight and select CTRL C)

Returning your activation code in SDL Trados Studio 2011:
1. In SDL Trados Studio select 'Help' -> "Product Activation" 
2. Click “Deactivate" 

Activating your SDL Trados Studio 2011 license on another computer:
1. If you haven’t already downloaded SDL Trados Studio onto the computer, please do so via your account https://oos.sdl.com/asp/products/ssl/account/default.asp
2. Once installed, start the software, select 'Help' -> "Product Activation" 

3. Enter the activation code 

Returning your activation code in SDL Trados Studio 2009:
1. Select Start -> All Programs -> SDL -> SDL Trados Studio 2009 -> License Manager
2. Click “View Activated Licenses”
3. Select the license you wish to return and click “Return License”
4. When the license has been returned select “OK” then select “Close”

Activating your SDL Trados Studio 2009 license on another computer:
1. If you haven’t already downloaded SDL Trados Studio 2009 onto the computer, please do so via your account https://oos.sdl.com/asp/products/ssl/account/default.asp
2. Select Start -> All Programs -> SDL -> SDL Trados Studio 2009 -> License Manager
3. Click “Activate Online”
4. Enter your new Activation Code and select “Next”
5. Your software is now activated on your computer.

What are the differences between the Freelance and Professional version?
A list of differences between the Freelance and the Professional version can be found on this page under the version tab. Also note that the Freelance version is named to an individual rather than a company and does not operate in a domain based network.

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Buying frequently asked questions

1. What happens when I order SDL software from Translationzone?
2. What payment methods do you accept at Translationzone for my product purchases and upgrades? Can I pay for my software in instalments?
3. Can the software be returned if not suitable or I am unhappy with it?
4. How do I order a Support and Maintenance agreement?
5. Is the maintenance package an annual fee?
6. What is the cost of support and maintenance?
7. How do I buy from the web?
8. Is there a trial version for SDL Trados Studio?
9. Which version should I choose? Do I need SDL Trados 2007 Suite?

What happens when I order SDL software from Translationzone?
Once you have created an account for yourself in our Online Order System and paid for your software with your credit card, you will receive an email from SDL informing you on how to download the software and where to find your activation key to license your software. The software is sold as a perpetual license.

What payment methods do you accept at Translationzone for my product purchases and upgrades? Can I pay for my software in instalments?
Unfortunately you cannot pay for your software in instalments but you can pay for it using either a credit card – American Express, Visa or Mastercard and with Switch/Maestro cards or via a PayPal account. A further method of payment that is available is via bank wire transfer. Please note that if you choose to pay by PayPal or bank transfer the software will be available for download, however you will receive your license after the money has reached our account, this could take up to 7 working days. Where as with credit card payments the licenses are instantly available. However if you prefer to speak to someone before you purchase you can call one of our sales representatives that are situated locally to you.

Can the software be returned if not suitable or I am unhappy with it?
The only time software can be returned is if it doesn’t work in your Mac environment otherwise we will give you technical assistance in setting the software up correctly so that it will work in your environment. Please contact us through our LiveChat if you do need to discuss a return.

How do I order a Support and Maintenance agreement?
You can order support and Maintenance when you first purchase your product online or you can call the Product Sales Team on +44 1628 416320 and they can take your order over the phone. A Support and Maintenance contract gives access to software upgrades during the time it is active and to our world-wide support team. Without a S&M contract we do provide free support on licensing and installation issues.

Is the maintenance package an annual fee?
Yes it is an annual fee.

What is the cost of the support and maintenance?
The support and maintenance contract is charged at 20% of the full list price of the products you purchase.

How do I buy from the web?
Please go to the products and select the one you wish to purchase, click on the buy now button and select any training or other products that you may wish to buy then proceed to check out. If you are a returning customer you’ll be asked for your email address and password to login to your account, if you’re a new customer you will be asked to create an account for yourself. Once this has been done you will be asked if you wish to place your order and what method of payment you wish to use. When you have paid for your software you will be taken to a page where all the information will be displayed on how to download and activate your license.

Alternatively if you would like to talk to someone before you purchase then please contact one of our friendly sales team who will be happy to help. Just select the country you are in and locate the telephone number of your local representative.

Is there a trial version for SDL Trados Studio?
We will soon be launching a trial version of the latest version of SDL Trados Studio. Keep an eye on our website or ask us through LiveChat to find out more.

Which version should I choose? Do I need SDL Trados 2007 Suite?
The version that contains SDL Trados Studio 2011 is a stand-alone edition which gives you access to the SDL Trados Studio 2011 environment as well as SDL MultiTerm 2011. You will still be able to use old file types, import old TMs, and carry out any task which requires you to produce legacy files. However it does not include the full SDL Trados 2007 Suite software. If you require access to our legacy products (TagEditor, SDLX or the Microsoft Word based editor) for any specific reason you should consider purchasing the version of Studio 2011 which includes the legacy SDL Trados 2007 Suite. You might need these legacy products if you need to connect in real-time to an old TM Server or if you need to create a Word Bilingual file from a source file (Studio 2011 can open and save old Word Bilingual files but can not create them).

If you do not find the answer to your question then please contact us for help.

Training FAQ's

1. How much does both on-line and on-site training cost?
2. What is the difference between onsite and online training?
3. Where is the onsite training being delivered?
4. How is the online training being delivered, in which language, is it interactive, who is the caller?
5. What is the duration and workflow of the online training?
6. How can SDL Certification help me win business?
7. What languages is the Certification training delivered in?

How much does both on-line and on-site training cost?
To find out more details on pricing for the various Training courses and delivery types we offer please see our Training Price list.

What is the difference between onsite and online training?
Onsite training is hands on, classroom based and is delivered at one of our Authorised Training Centres or at a customers own site.
Online training is live, WebEx based training delivered over the internet at an agreed time and duration. We see this as a valuable primer to hands on classroom based training.

Where is the onsite training being delivered?
Onsite training is delivered at one of our SDL or Authorised Training Centres or at a customers own site.

How is the online training being delivered, in which language, is it interactive, who is the caller?
Online training can be delivered in the following languages, on a public, schedule of course dates. See the online course schedule for availability. The training is not interactive but is delivered live with the ability to ask questions. Online training sessions are delivered by an Authorised SDL Trainer.

Languages delivered in: English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Dutch, Chinese (simplified), Greek, Russian, Portuguese, Romanian, Danish, Swedish, Finnish, Bulgarian, Egyptian, Turkish, Catalan.

What is the duration and workflow of the online training?
The duration of our online courses is 3 hours. The workflow is detailed in the individual course outlines

How can SDL Certification help me win business?

For freelance translators:

The SDL Training and Certification program has been developed with the aim of helping freelance translators achieve their professional development and career advancement goals. Additionally, all major translation community websites such as Proz.com, Aquarius, TRADUguide, have recognised the importance of technology Certification alongside linguistic credentials and have added fields to display SDL Certification in their translator’s profile area. Search results from these websites have shown that outsourcers actively look for persons who have the SDL Certification credential as a means of validating their level of expertise in the worlds leading translation technology tools.

For translation companies:

Translation companies around the world have shown great interest in the SDL Certification program as they can see the benefits of ensuring a level of competency in translation software for themselves. Currently there are over 200 Language Service Providers around the world who have embraced the program. Additionally most  of these companies are using the SDL Certification as a  way to add value and attract more business, by differentiating themselves from the competition and actively demonstrating to their clients how they can leverage the efficiencies in the technology to their benefit.

What languages is the training delivered in?
Training is delivered in French, German, English, Japanese and Chinese (simplified), Spanish, Italian, Danish, Swedish, Finnish and Norwegian.

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Certification FAQ's

1. What is SDL Certification?
2. Do I need to be SDL Certified to accept project work?
3. What is the process to become SDL Certified?
4. How long will it take to become SDL Certified?
5. How much does SDL Certification cost?
6. How long do I have after I have purchased the exams to take the tests?
7. Do I need to renew my SDL Certification when new versions of the software are released?
8. What happens when I successfully pass the exam of the SDL Certification?
9. I am currently SDL Certified for SDL Trados 2009 or older. What do I have to do to upgrade my Certification?
10. I am going through Certification for SDL Trados 2009 or older, how does this affect me?
11. How can SDL Certification help me win business?
12. Do I need to be trained in SDL Trados Studio 2011 and SDL MultiTerm 2011 to be SDL Certified?  

What is SDL Certification?

The SDL Certification Program is the industry’s premier technology based certification which provides a recognized standard of excellence in SDL  software knowledge. It’s a comprehensive professional education program designed to develop and validate expertise in the use of SDL translation technology tools.

The Certification has been designed to help educate the translator community on the latest technological developments and best practices in translation technology, terminology management and automated quality assurance checks. As a result, Certification greatly increases derived efficiencies from the use of SDL software and ensures the automation and time saving features available in the technology are applied. Additionally, the SDL Certification helps increase quality of translation project by reducing human error and helps individuals achieve their personal development goals.

Do I need to be SDL Certified to accept project work?

Absolutely not, however holding the credential proves your level of expertise in the translation technology and will make you more interesting to a potential employer.

What is the process to become SDL Certified?

The process for becoming Certified is simple:

 1. Select the Certification exam for either SDL Trados Studio 2011 or SDL MultiTerm 2011  according to whether you are a Translator or Project manager.

 2. We recommend you take SDL Approved Training to prepare for the exams.

 3. You move up the Certification ladder by mastering each level

How long will it take to become SDL Certified?

This depends largely on your current experience in using SDL Language technology. Some translators and project managers pass on the first try, and others who are just starting with the software prefer to take training courses (online or onsite Certification training) or simply download our courseware to prepare themselves for the exams.

Find out more about our Certification training options to prepare you for the exams.

How much does SDL Certification cost?

All SDL Certification exams are priced the same at: $69, £39, € 49, 6,000 Yen.

How long do I have after I have purchased the exams to take the tests?

There is no time limit for you to become SDL Certified. Many translators are currently working through the steps of certification, and will become the first to be more employable because of their skills. If you would like to find out more on how to prepare for SDL Certification, please visit our Certification Training page or contact us to find out more.

Do I need to renew my SDL Certification when new versions of the software are released?

Yes, your SDL Certification will be specific to the version of SDL Trados Studio 2011 and SDL MultiTerm 2011 and is valid for 60 days after a new exam is published for any new product version release. SDL will email you with the details of new exams as well as a reminder of when your Certification is due for renewal.

What happens when I successfully pass the exam of the SDL Certification?

You will have achieved Certification for your respective level upon successful completion of the online exams, for example, successful completion of the Level 1 exam will issue Level 1 certification, with an associated Certification pin-badge, web page and Certification logo.  

I am currently SDL Certified for the SDL Trados 2007 option. What do I have to do to upgrade my Certification?

We have endeavoured to make the transition to the new version as easy and quick as possible. You will find that your account has automatically been updated with everything you need to update your Certification process to the SDL Trados Studio 2011 product. When you log back into your account you will find a range of new Certification exams to chose from. Please select and take the ones that are best fitting to your role and software usage.

All the new exams are delivered free of charge and will be automatically in your account.

I am currently going through Certification for SDL Trados 2007, how does this affect me?

We have endeavoured to make the transition to the new version as quick and as easy as possible. Your account will automatically be updated with everything you need to upgrade your Certification status to the SDL Trados Studio 2011 product. When you log back into your account you will find a range of new Certification exams to chose from. Please select and take the ones that are best fitting to your role and software usage. Please see diagram above SDL Certification Options available for Existing Users, guiding you in what you will find in your account.

These new exams are delivered free of charge and will appear automatically in your account.

How can SDL Certification help me win business?

For freelance translators:

The SDL Certification program has been developed with the aim of helping freelance translators achieve their professional development and career advancement goals. Additionally, all major translation community websites such as Proz.com, Aquarius, TRADUguide, have recognised the importance of technology Certification alongside linguistic credentials and have added fields to display SDL Certification in their translator’s profile area. Search results from these websites have shown that outsourcers actively look for persons who have the SDL Certification credential as a means of validating their level of expertise in the world's leading translation technology tools.

For translation companies:

Translation companies around the world have shown great interest in the SDL Certification program as they can see the benefits of ensuring a level of competency in translation software for themselves. Currently there are over 200 Language Service Providers around the world who have embraced the program. Additionally most  of these companies are using the SDL Certification as a  way to add value and attract more business, by differentiating themselves from the competition and actively demonstrating to their clients how they can leverage the efficiencies in the technology to their benefit.

Do I need to be trained in SDL Trados Studio 2009 and SDL MultiTerm 2009 to be Certified?

There are several ways prepare for SDL Certification and definitely the best recommended option includes training for the translation tool of your choice either SDL Trados Studio 2009 or SDL MultiTerm 2009. In fact according to SDL Training figures over 93% of the translators and project managers that attended one of our training session passed their Certification exam on the first attempt. To find out more about the different training options available to suit your particular needs please visit our training page. 

General frequently asked questions

1. What does Translationzone offer?
2. Should I have a profile on Translationzone?
3. What is the difference between my Translationzone profile and my SDL account at the Customer Center?
4. How do I update my profile on the directory?
5. How do I update my details in my Account?
6. How can SDL help my business?
7. Where can I find my SDL User Manuals?
8. Can webinars be run at varying times of the day to suit the US? (and other countries)?

To update the details in your "account" area you will need to log in here. Once you have logged in to the Customer Center you will see your account summary page and on the left you will be able to update/edit the "my details area" and "change my password" sections.

How can SDL help me win business?
Many corporations looking to outsource their translation requirements prefer to use SDL enabled LSPs. Having SDL software can ensure you are compatible with these organizations, which greatly improves your chances of winning business with them.

Where can I find my SDL User Manuals?
You can find softcopy versions of your user manuals in several places. All user documentation is included (in Acrobat PDF format) when you download your software from the Customer Center. You can also find user documentation on our download section, along with updates, demos and tutorials.

Can webinars be run at varying times of the day to suit the US? (and other countries)
SDL aims to run webinars at different times of the day to try to reach as many countries as possible, however should the times not be suitable for your area or you are unable to attend a webinar of interest then you may be able to download the recorded version from our webinar recordings section which can be found under our downloads area.

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