Language Service Provider Network

_changelog OTM Update 5.1 – 2011-10-26

2011-10-29T12:41:00.011+02:00

1) Customer e-mail wizard

The new e-mail wizard helps you organize multiple e-mail recipients on the side of the customer. The wizard is available everywhere e-mail is written to customers.

Any number of e-mail addresses can be set up for a customer and commented. The e-mail addresses of all contact persons for a customer can be imported with just a click.

The saved addresses can be inserted in the TO, CC or BCC field automatically or using a convenient selection dialog.

Moreover, general notes can be saved, which are displayed when writing e-mail to customers. This function is useful for showing notes which are not related to the e-mail configuration but which contain information to be considered in the relevant project.

The e-mail addresses and their settings are stored project specifically, i.e. changes in the settings of a project do not change the settings of existing projects. The last e-mail configuration in each case is used as a default for new projects of the customer.

An exception is when sending mail for invoices, partial invoices, payment requests and customer credit notes: the TO, CC and BCC fields must be filled in manually as required.

Here's an example of how it works:
The quotation is sent to the customer’s purchasing department. However, in the rest of the workflow, the original contact for the customer is responsible for matters. Moreover, one or more other persons are to receive CC or BCC copies of e-mail for the project. The invoice for the project is sent to the customer’s bookkeeping department.

2) Extended functionality of customer service pages
An administrator of customer service pages can archive projects of co-workers.

3) Bug fixes and a few improvements of details

OTM 5.0 – Changes for compliance with the EN 15038 standard

2011-07-27T14:49:00.005+02:00

The sequence of services offered in the online request form now corresponds to the requirements of the EN 15038 standard.
“Proof correction” and “content correction” were added as new services under >Administration >Preferences >Project management settings.
If “professional translation” is selected as a service under >Administration >Preferences >Project management settings, a reminder is displayed that compliance with the EN 15038 standard requires that “complex review (source and target text)” be included as an option on the online request form.
No services are pre-selected in the online request form. (Previously, “professional translation” was selected by default.
Under >Administration >Standard texts >General terms and conditions for resources, for translators in particular a text passage must be added which obligates them to check their work in a second procedure prior to delivery. A note explains this.
A note regarding the requirements of the EN 15038 standard was added under >Administration >Standard texts >Service-specific text blocks.
All licensees intending to work in accordance with EN 15038 should ensure that “complex review (source and target text)” is marked under >Administration >Preferences >Project management settings if “professional translation” is offered. Even if no change is made, please click the “Save” button to ensure that the new sorting is applied to all relevant places in OTM.
Various minor improvements and bug fixes were made in the project management module.
.

OTM 5.0 certified according to EN 15038

2011-06-29T17:13:00.009+02:00

EN 15038 certificate

LSP.net has published OTM 5.0.

The Online Translation Manager (OTM) is now the first commercial project management tool for the language industry to receive EN 15038 certification!

OTM 5.0 coming in June

2011-05-24T14:22:00.003+02:00

The OTM 5.0 update will be published in June 2011.
Besides some major usability impovements there will be exciting news for all LSPs which work (or like to work) in conformity with DIN EN 15038!

_changelog OTM Update 4.1 – 2011-02-28

2011-02-28T07:38:00.002+01:00

Configuration for exporting data from the bookkeeping module

The data export for invoices and payable vouchers can be customized under >Bookkeeping >Bookkeeping export (configuration). The sequence of field contents, column delimiters and file format for the export (TXT or CSV) can all be configured as required.

Templates can be created and saved. Saved templates can be changed. A template is selected as the default for export in each case.

The exports for selected documents can be performed under >Bookkeeping >Invoices or >Bookkeeping >Payable vouchers. The export files are UTF-8 encoded.

Bookkeeping data exported from OTM can be read into external accounting software (such as DATEV®, SAP®, Lexware®, SAGE® and others) and processed further in those environments.

Additional resource administration options

Under >Administration >Agency resources there are now filters for >Applicants and >Candidates that enable searches to be limited so that particular language combinations can be found more quickly, for example. The sort functions (column sort) were also expanded.

The list of candidates now shows which information is missing in the profile of a particular resource. A three-stage e-mail function has been added with which resources can be encouraged to complete the necessary data in their profiles. The text of the e-mail messages can be customized (in English, Spanish and German) in the administration module.

Please note: resources are available for job assignments only after all the required data are entered.

OTM currencies

The Israeli shekel (ILS) has been added as a currency.

Display of the time zone selected by the user

The project manager interface now shows the time zone chosen by the user at the upper right of the main menu. Adjacent to it the difference from UTC is displayed. Clicking the icon next to the time opens the external web page at www.timeanddate.com with comprehensive time zone and calendar information.
Previously the system time of the user’s computer was displayed at this location. This is usually shown by the computer anyway at the lower right of the screen.

Et cetera

The update to OTM version 4.1 contains more than 100 major and minor improvements.

Free OTM trial now expanded

2011-01-25T10:46:00.000+01:00

The free OTM trial terms have also been upgraded to enable longer evaluation periods for those who need them to decide on a project management platform. A three month evaluation period is now available instead of the previous 30 days. This will facilitate better acquaintance with the features of the OTM environment for those with long decision processes or busy daily routines. Up to 5 projects can be managed in the trial period, allowing critical project scenarios to be evaluated thoroughly. Any number of users (project manager logins) can be set up during the trial period, so the evaluation can involve all potential users in a team or organization.

Those who have evaluated the software in the past are welcome to have a "second look" at the many new features which have been introduced in recent months, such as greater customizability of standard texts, more client interface languages, sophisticated invoicing options, additional archiving options, greater legal security with online proposal acceptance and more. Just contact LSP.net with your request, and your old trial account will be re-activated for another three month evaluation.

For contacting LSP.net with your request, please click here

_changelog OTM Update 4.0 – 2011-01-17

2011-01-15T11:27:00.006+01:00

1) Saving line item templates and importing line item lists
Line item lists include the service, possibly the language pair, service-specific text blocks, rates, areas of specialization, etc., without references to files and quantities.
They are imported into current projects from other projects or templates which have been saved especially for this purpose. A saved template can be used as a “price list”.
(a) >Line items: line item lists are imported into current projects from other projects or from saved templates.
(b) >Manage templates: naming, renaming, deleting and releasing line item lists
(c) >Project management >Line item summary: saving a line item list as a template for use by other project managers in the same organization. (PM users with administrative or supervisory rights always see all of a company’s templates.)

2) Web interface for mobile access
Access is now possible via iPhone. Running OTM in the smartphone browsers enables you to handle basic administrative tasks for project management:
- View project requests and assign them for processing
- Block project management
- Read e-mail
- Read reports
- View customer profiles

3) “Copy file” function
>File repository
>Project documents
>Customer documents
It’s now easier to copy a file from one area to another. You can choose to save the file copy directly in the >File repository, >Project documents or >Customer documents.

4) >Project documents function upgraded
Additional information, functions and sorting options

5) Select user interface display time zone
Schedules and deadlines will be shown in the user interface for project managers and resources in the time zone selected by the user.

6) Date entry in ISO format
Dates and times (for example for deadlines) are now entered using the ISO format: YYYY-DD-MM hh:mm

7) Shortcut to the project summary
On the overview pages and the project summary box, an icon now appears before the project number. Clicking it takes you directly to the project summary without the need to use the dropdown menu for navigation.

8) >Job file functions now use AJAX
It is no longer necessary to refresh pages manually after changes are made, such as evaluating a results file or accepting a delivery file. The changed information is displayed immediately.

9) Warning if the default deadline for jobs is changed
If jobs are already saved in a project, after a project manager changes the default job deadline a warning appears indicating that jobs previously created are not automatically updated and may require manual attention.

10) >Order >Generate invoice function updated
The page for generating invoices (as well as payment requests, partial invoices and credit notes) was redesigned. An HTML preview of the PDF document is now included, and an editable e-mail message is now shown if the document is to be sent by e-mail.

11) Differentiated display of first and last names
It is not clear in all languages what the first and last name of a person is, for example when the name consists of more than two words altogether. Now last names are indicated by the use of bold type.

12) Delivery of certified documents
As of OTM 4.0 resources can no longer be searched globally by the criterion of being court-appointed. Instead, it is determined based on the service and language pair whether the criterion for the delivery of certified documents is relevant.
Since there is no uniform rules that apply internationally to this issue and the legal situation cannot be generalized, an additional query is made for qualifications and the agency which granted authorization.
Current resources who were listed as being sworn will be requested to provide more specific information when they log in to their service pages.

13) >Bookkeeping – Display of the posted amount instead of the remaining amount
Outgoing invoices which follow a payment request which has been settled will no longer show the unpaid amount remaining as “0” but instead will indicate the posted amount in the bookkeeping overviews.

14) Wizard for quantity unit differences between items in a quotation and the corresponding jobs
If a project uses quantity units for a job given to a resource that differ from those used in the quote or invoice for the customer, OTM offers assistance in conversion using factors or allows other amounts to be input manually.

15) Various other minor improvements were implemented.

New Guided Tutorials for Online Translation Management

2010-12-15T23:17:00.001+01:00

In order to support our growing user community in mastering the essential processes for successful management of a language services business with the Online Translation Manager (OTM), we are creating a series of guided tutorials in which common workflows are explained interactively, step by step in a test project using the software.

At the other end of the tutorial project correspondence is a “live” support staff member, so any difficulties or specific questions can be handled quickly and easily.

The first two tutorials cover quotation requests via the OTM web form and include file uploads, correspondence, quotation, project acceptance, assignment to a translator (the OTM user in the case of a freelancer or translating PM or another translator if the OTM user is an outsourcer), delivery of the finished project to the client, invoicing and closing the project with a request for feedback.

Other guided tutorials deal with project requests which arrive via e-mail with varying degrees of information. These tutorials are an excellent way for those who test OTM on a free 30 day trial to get up to speed quickly on critical processes.

Other important sources of information for learning to use are the webinars in German and English offered by LSP.net, static web tutorials covering various aspects of use and the comprehensive context help in the program, with its innovative display technique that allows you continue to work alongside and benefit from the explanations. LSP.net support staff are also available during CET business hours to answer questions by e-mail or telephone.

OTM as a 'best practice' case study at "sosocon 2010"

2010-10-14T19:03:00.003+02:00

"Shared knowledge. Better Business." - this is the motto of the European Software Solutions Conference ("sosocon"), which will take place in Hanover, from November 30 to December 2, 2010. On the first day of the conference, LSP.net will present its SaaS solution OTM as a 'best practice' case study for smooth customer business processes. more ...

_changelog OTM Update 3.1 – 2010-10-11

2010-10-08T10:11:00.005+02:00

Date formats in the project manager interface
In the project management interface, dates are now always displayed in the ISO format, for example: 2010-09-27, possibly with time information added. The entry fields were adapted accordingly.
E-mail threads repositioned
In the project navigation menu, links to the e-mail threads were moved under >Project summary. The corresponding tabs are thus found at
>Project summary >E-mail (customer) and >Project summary >E-mail (resources).
Revision of >Reports >Cash flow
The data for receivables (invoices) and payables (remuneration) will be displayed graphically based on the projects entered; this will be seen by users with corresponding authorization.
Address formats
The address formats of many countries are unique. Depending on the country, individual elements like postal code, city, street address, etc. are arranged in different ways. OTM adapts to the relevant customs and provides international users with the accustomed formats in each case. All this is flexibly designed so that new information on formats for specific countries can be added and implemented in updates that follow.
Knowledge base
The knowledge base in the project management module has been expanded and currently contains the following elements: videos, Q&A, sample service pages for customers and resources, links to the OTM blog, change log and LSP.net news.
Accounting entry when invoices are sent by e-mail
When an invoice is sent by e-mail, an entry is automatically made in the accounting module in the field for comments and status changes. This information indicates when and by whom the invoice was sent.
Automatic assignment of projects to the sole project manager
If there is only one project manager in the company, then new projects are automatically assigned to that person. The corresponding step in the project switchboard is no longer required.
Transparent initial download of delivery files
PMs can see under >Files >Job files whether a delivery file has been downloaded by the customer, more specifically by a contact person in the customer’s organization. (The person who first downloaded the file is indicated.)
Removing the “new” label for files in the file repository
Project managers can manually remove the “new” label for files in the repository. (It makes sense to do this if, for example, an administrator takes a project himself as a PM and has already seen the files.)
Configurable defaults for sending e-mail notifications
For a series of important e-mail messages to customers, the configuration can be set to send these messages or omit them by default. The project manager can change these settings in each individual project.
The general defaults for all customers of the company are under >Administration >Preferences >E-mail options. In case other settings are to be applied to customers or individual contact persons, the appropriate changes can be made in >Customer administration >Preferences or >Customer administration >Customer contact persons.
T&Cs in languages other than the project language
The general terms and conditions of business for a company or agency are not always available in all languages used for handling projects. When a quotation is created, project managers have the option to attach T&Cs to the quotation even if the language of these terms differs from the project language.
If T&Cs are available in several languages other than the project language, a corresponding selection can be made. For example, consider the case where the project language is Dutch, but the T&Cs are available only in English and German. The PM can choose to attach the terms and conditions in English or German to the quotation in Dutch.
T&Cs can be viewed under >Team
The currently valid general terms and conditions of business for customers and resources, if present, can be viewed under >Team in all the languages for which they are available.
Language selection for e-mail when involving resources
In >Administration >Resource management, when the invitation e-mail is sent, there is an option available to select the language for each individual mail.
No VAT information from EU resources if they belong to a non-EU agency
It is only required to enter VAT information for agency resources located in the EU if the agency is domiciled in the EU.
Information for freelancers when the delivery of result files is completed
When the delivery is completed (the last outstanding result file is uploaded), resources with project-related remuneration receive extensive information regarding the creation of the payable voucher.
This main purpose of this information is to increase the awareness that it is unnecessary and counterproductive to create documents for this purpose outside the system.
The necessary data for a job are already present in OTM, and regardless of whether the credit note is generated by the agency or a resource invoice is created by the freelancer, the necessary document can be created quickly and cleanly in OTM.
Configurable services in the quote request form
The services listed on the quote request form can be selected under >Administration >Preferences >Project management settings. Services which are not selected (checkboxes not marked) do not appear on the quote request form.
Include e-mail in the project documents as a PDF
E-mail from customers can be converted directly into a PDF document within a project and then stored under >Project documents (in the project summary). This is useful, for example, if the customer has already placed an order in a simple e-mail message and is not to be requested to submit an order form. This type of order is then better compliant in some cases with the formal legal requirements for contractual relevance.

The next OTM update is scheduled for January 2011.

Version 3.0 of the Online Translation Manager (OTM®) sets new standards in online project management for language service providers

2010-08-03T18:59:00.001+02:00

Berlin, August 3, 2010 – LSP.net, the provider of unique solutions and quality management tools for the language industry, today announced the production release of its workflow solution OTM 3.0. The new version offers significantly expanded functions for the LSP online project management platform.

LSP.net CEO Ulrich Scheffler explained, “The new release enables our licensees to customize project communication with their customers individually in any language. We have also continued to optimize the business components of the software to offer users unobtrusive guidance for commercial correct processes. OTM is an all-round solution for language service providers and sets new standards for online project management with respect to functionality, transparency, security and availability.”

Along with the standard system languages English, Spanish and German, customer interface components for the OTM platform are now also available in Dutch and Portuguese. And the new OTM localization interface enables additional language localizations to be added quickly and easily.

The Online Translation Manager (OTM) directs and manages project processes for translations, editing, localization and desktop publishing. It is an expert software as a service (“SaaS”) system that is simple to operate and is available around the clock. All you need is an Internet connection.

OTM service starts at only € 29 per month. A free 30-day trial of OTM 3.0 with full functionality can be requested at the LSP.net web site.

_changelog OTM Update 3.0 – 2010-08-02

2010-07-28T17:07:00.001+02:00

Online order
Customers with service pages can place an order using an online form. The online form is converted automatically to a PDF file and added to the project documents. The PM gets a message under “Orders” that the order has been received (just like when a faxed order has been uploaded).
Additional languages for communication with customers
All communication with customers (e-mail and PDF documents) can now also take place in Dutch and Portuguese (BR). The customer user interface is also available in these languages.
Back-end tools for adapting standard texts
The following standard texts can now also be individually customized in the administration module:
- e-mail to customers
- texts in documents for customers (quotations, invoices, credit notes, etc.)
- services offered
- OTM web site navigation menu
Resource service pages
The color themes were upgraded.
Various other minor improvements were implemented.

The next OTM update is scheduled for September/October 2010.

_changelog OTM Update 2.6 - 2010-07-16

2010-07-16T12:45:00.002+02:00

Partial invoices can now be created as postable documents in a project. They are taken into account on the final invoice.
Customer credit notes (for example, a goodwill credit note) can be created for a project.
A payment request can now be generated for a project. This is the commercially correct solution for customers subject to prepayment. A proper invoice can be generated after the prepayment is received or the project is concluded.
Features 1, 2 and 3 can be tracked appropriately in the OTM bookkeeping module.
Further improvements were made to the token editor for localization. This is not seen directly by licensees.
Various other minor improvements were implemented.

The OTM 3.0 update is scheduled for August 2, 2010.

_changelog OTM Update 2.5 - 2010-07-05

2010-07-06T16:58:00.004+02:00

Services are configurable for agencies
Administration > Agency > Core data > Projects
The services offered by the agency can be selected here. Services which are not selected do not appear in the system’s list of services, for example on the quote request form.
Bookkeeping
If there are changes to the master data for the resource between the time a credit voucher is downloaded and the status is changed to “paid”, a warning will be shown next to the status selection box.
Line item specific taxes
Individual tax settings can now be defined for the line items of quotations and orders.
Subtotal
A subtotal can be inserted in the quotation after a line item:
Quote > Line items > Edit line item > Quantification / Price > (checkbox selection)
Exporting search results
Part or all of the search results list for customers or resources can be exported in LDIF format.
“Change password” for PMs in the project manager front end
Project management interface > User preferences
OTM basics / Q&A
Linked via the PM front end
New design for the customer front end
The logout button was moved from the bottom left to the right top.

The next OTM update is scheduled for mid-July 2010.

_changelog OTM Update 2.0 - 2010-05-03

2010-05-03T18:58:00.005+02:00

A list of the terms for areas of specialization can also be displayed in Quote > Address and Quote > Line items > Areas of specialization.
The inquiry form for project managers is now integrated into the PM-front end and is no longer a pop-up.
Agency administration: Navigation menu has been revised, one (sub-) menu item per tab.
Accounts payable vouchers: Agencies can specify in OTM whether resource invoices are to be created by the resources themselves, or whether credit notes are created by the agency (self-invoicing). Invoices from resources will have a document number issued by OTM. Resources can input additional invoice numbers in accordance with their own bookkeeping requirements.
The input of taxes and of tax rates for accounts payable vouchers for domestic clients (agencies) is handled by the resources on their service pages.
The CSV-exports of receivables (invoices) and payables (accounts payable vouchers) include the taxes and tax rates contained in the particular voucher (but not their specific amounts; these may have to be calculated individually from the gross amounts).
Creditor numbers (specific to the agency) can be appended to resources, and debtor numbers can be appended to clients. These numbers also appear in the CSV-exports.
A code is provided in Agency-Administration > CI > OTM-Website which permits the incorporation of the inquiry form into an existing agency web site using the
< iframe > tag.

Next update is scheduled for June/Juli 2010.

Browser war finally ended

2010-02-06T11:46:00.024+01:00

For the benefit of our users we finally decided to pull Microsoft Internet Explorer® from the race. With the February OTM update, it will be no longer possible to login to OTM project manager's and administrator's modules with any IE version (see also LSP.net post Oct. 2009).
Note: OTM service websites for resources and customers are NOT affected by this decision.

The decision was made because MS IE is not conform to W3C's HTML and CSS standards. This causes tremendous extra time in programming, often resulting in unpleasant compromises.

We recommend to install a W3C-conform, even securer and much faster browser like Mozilla Firefox (Version 3 +), Apple Safari (Version 4 +) or Google Chrome (Version 5 +).

Of course, we´ll check MS IE9 in 2011 for compatibility issues :-)

OTM – Lift off

2010-01-11T15:03:00.006+01:00

Today, the OTM pilot phase started as scheduled. More than 50 pilots will successively lift off within the next weeks.

OTM – Logins

2009-12-21T17:58:00.035+01:00

Some exemplification on which logins are license-free and which are subject to licensing:

1) Logins which are subject to licensing

2) License-free logins

For complete information about the OTM license, please click here.

OTM workflow – Part 2 – Budget calculations

2009-12-03T11:56:00.020+01:00

OTM supports project managers in their project budgeting.
The agency administrator sets his/her own agency’s project budgeting calculation basis in the OTM administration section.

The starting point is the price at which the service will be sold to the end client. Then the administrator sets the margin that covers the agency’s expenses as well as its entrepreneurial risk and desired profit. The sales price minus that margin determines the purchase price, i.e. the fee that can be paid to the freelancer:

Sales price (price at which the service is offered to the customer) less margin (calculated as a percentage) for agency’s expenses, entrepreneurial risk, and profit
= purchase price from the translator

This procedure has the advantage of taking into account different parameters that affect the sales price in the determination of the purchase price. For example, a source file in PDF instead of Word format can generate additional processing work, or the customer’s desired weekend turnaround may involve a higher fee on the part of the translator.

In other words: Higher customer prices trickle down to improve translator remuneration. At the job offering stage, the system automatically shows the PM the freelancer’s fee computed according to his/her agency’s calculation parameters. This is only a guideline; in actual fact, fees can of course be adapted by the Project Manager to each individual case.

Fair Play
Years of practical experience have proven that this procedure has decisive advantages. Freelancers develop the positive perception that fees per word are not always the same but that they may sometimes also be higher (e.g. because the agency may have been able to negotiate a higher price with the customer). Of course the reverse conclusion is that freelancers will occasionally also accept lower fees (because the agency may have granted the customer a discount in order to obtain the job). Calculations must in any event be handled with care. Agencies cannot endlessly grant discounts to customers and try to make up their margin by dipping into the translator’s share. This would most likely quickly lead to freelancers no longer taking on that agency’s jobs.

For all OTM users, the goal is to develop balanced and overall equitable relationships also in regard to fee arrangements in order to live up to the networks motto of “Fair Play”.

OTM workflow – Part 1 – Speed and quality

2009-12-03T11:49:00.009+01:00

Fast, uncomplicated, and transparent project management add up to a distinct competitive advantage. Working in the Quality Translation Network enables busy language service providers to save a great deal of time at the project processing stage while sustainably raising quality of service.
How is it possible to save time in the management of a translation project and increase quality at the same time?
Shortening support and administrative processes allows the time saved to be used for actual translation and quality control tasks. The OTM network software supports this approach with special workflow and QA modules.
The example below shows a comparison of traditional and OTM processes over the period between the customer’s inquiry and assignment of the job to a translator:

Traditional procedure OTM workflow
(without OTM)

This is how it works with the traditional procedure:

The project manager receives a customer inquiry and announces a potential job to various freelancers, asking about availability, pricing, etc. Then, he or she waits for their answers, and only then can a proposal be drawn up for the client.
Each freelancer may have to look at documents and answer the inquiry even though it is not certain that the job will later actually be assigned to him or her.
The customer will get a proposal only once the freelancers have submitted their offers and at least one of them has confirmed availability.

The entire procedure represents a great deal of unnecessary effort and/or waste of time for all parties involved.
Also, if the client’s order comes in later than at first assumed, for example, the translator to whom the job had been promised may already have accepted other assignments in the meantime. And, as ultimately only one freelancer can actually get the job, polite project managers then have to notify all the other translators contacted.

OTM workflow:

The project manager develops his client proposal directly after receiving the customer’s inquiry. As soon as he or she receives the customer’s order, the project manager releases a job offer to his/her own agency’s freelancers (Agency Resources) or to freelancers within the network (Network Resources).
Freelancers receive a binding, fixed price job offer from the agency. All necessary information is included in the job offer. They can examine the files to be processed on their OTM service pages and decide whether to accept or decline the job as offered. If the answer is “yes”, the freelancer can start work straight away. If the job offer is released to several freelancers, acceptance is on a “First-come, First-served!” basis.
The client gets his proposal extremely quickly – depending on the PM’s workload and the project’s complexity, generating an offer will take around an hour, but usually no more than two.

Situation analysis:
The traditional procedure is generally used because the agency is not certain of the pricing at which it should offer the project to the customer, or whether an appropriate translator is available. Therefore, it is necessary to set up all kinds of safety nets, which is a cumbersome exercise that becomes possible only with significant amounts of effort.

On the other hand, with its OTM workflow the Quality Translation Network provides a much more stable foundation for the calculation and assignment of translation projects:
Most language and subject combinations are covered by the agency’s own or the network’s freelancer pool. The project manager automatically receives system suggestions for appropriate freelancers when preparing the job offer.

With the OTM database, the PM can also, if in doubt, request a display of the potentially appropriate freelancers to get an idea of their availability before formulating the client offer. The freelancer profiles show each freelancer’s “standard rates”. This is particularly useful when calculating the cost of language and subject matter combinations that are new for the agency.

The same job can be offered to any number of suitable freelancers at once. Once a freelancer has accepted the job, all others receive a notification that the work has already been assigned when they log in to their OTM service pages. Over time, this feature results in a desirable side effect, as freelancers will check their email more frequently, thus considerably reducing reaction times.

However, addressing more than three freelancers at a time is advisable only for very urgent jobs, as only one can be assigned the work, and “missing the job” can generate disappointment in the others.
Moreover, after a certain amount of experience with the OTM workflow project managers will often know in advance who is likely to accept a given job, so that they can, if appropriate, offer it to just one person. If that freelancer does not react, the project manager can notify others in just a few mouse clicks.

Using OTM globally and regionally – Part 2 – Currencies

2009-11-17T14:18:00.053+01:00

OTM is aimed at promoting regional business as well as operations on a global scale. In addition to using worldwide reserve currencies, OTM also provides an easy facility for working with numerous other currencies.

This means that every LSP can decide in which currencies to offer services and in which currencies freelancers should be paid. It is possible for these to be different currencies. OTM enables the use of any of the 34 convertible currencies currently listed by the European Central Bank (see the following table).

Currencies usable in OTM (status November 2009)
EUR	EURO	RUB	Russian rouble
USD	US dollar	TRY	Turkish lira
JPY	Japanese yen	AUD	Australian dollar
BGN	Bulgarian lev	BRL	Brasilian real
CZK	Czech koruna	CAD	Canadian dollar
DKK	Danish krone	CNY	Chinese yuan renminbi
EEK	Estonian kroon	HKD	Hong Kong dollar
GBP	Pound sterling	IDR	Indonesian rupiah
HUF	Hungarian forint	INR	Indian rupee
LTL	Lithuanian litas	KRW	South Korean won
LVL	Latvian lats	MXN	Mexican peso
PLN	Polish zloty	MYR	Malaysian ringgit
RON	New Romanian leu	NZD	New Zealand dollar
SEK	Swedish krona	PHP	Philippine peso
CHF	Swiss franc	SGD	Singapore dollar
NOK	Norwegian krone	THB	Thai baht
HRK	Croatian kuna	ZAR	South African rand

Within a project, quotes and invoices for customers as well as payments for freelancers can be calculated in one or more currencies. The currencies are converted using the latest daily rates. This ensures that project managers always have a clear overview of the price and costs of each project.

Example: A Brazilian agency works for an US customer and generates its quote and invoice in US dollars, but prefers to pay its local freelancer in Brazilian real.

Using OTM globally and regionally – Part 1 – Languages

2009-11-17T14:09:00.008+01:00

1) User interface
The OTM user interface is currently available in English, German and Spanish. Further full localisations in other languages will follow.

2) Communication with end customers and freelancers (resources)
Creating documents such as quotes, invoices, credit notes and email communication is currently possible in the languages English, German and Spanish.

From mid-January 2010, we will also be increasing the number of communication languages by a further 10. In addition to document and email texts, this also regards the GUI of the respective customer service pages.

3) Limitations in the pilot phase
At the beginning of the pilot phase, we will initially only be including pilots that work with the three abovementioned languages. We kindly ask all others to patiently wait a little while longer until the system is ready for their languages.

For those who have or have not ...

2009-11-07T09:57:00.023+01:00

We´re happy to announce a new OTM feature. You can set up and publish your own OTM website. We´ll provide several design templates to choose from. The URL is a subdomain and would take the format "mylanguageservice.qtn.net"
The website will include the following pages, with members each deciding which individual pages they would like to publish:

HOME
Services / Short Profile (if desired)
Request Form
Testimonials (if desired)
Client List (if desired)
Terms & Conditions (if desired)
Freelancer Application Form (if desired)
Contact

You don´t have to worry about HTML coding, each page is easy to edit (wordprocessor principle) in your OTM administration back end.

Your OTM website provides full integration of all the necessary forms and CRM items you need to successfully communicate with your customers.

For those who already run a website, it might be an interesting prospect to set up a second one.

LSP.net promotes your OTM website in internet search engines!

No extra cost for this service! This feature is included in the OTM license.

Sample OTM microsite: http://myls.qtn.net/home.html?lang=en

Browser war still going on

2009-10-20T12:29:00.014+02:00

In spite of the release of Internet Explorer 8, this graphic unfortunately still sums up the current situation ...
We strongly recommend using Firefox or Safari, for operating OTM.

Pilot phase of OTM

2009-10-14T12:36:00.008+02:00

Our team is working hard to start the pilot phase of OTM asap. It won’t be long to wait now ...