An open, enterprise level, translation memory tool

OpenTM2 provides an open platform for managing translation-related activities with enterprise level scalability and quality. It serves as an open, yet comprehensive, localization tool that provides such an integration platform.

IBM TM2 was developed internally by IBM for localizing and translating their software and content into more than 50 languages, including bidirectional scripts and ideographic languages, and it has been used by thousands of professional translators and localizers for many years. The core of IBM TM2 was made available to the open-source community in 2010 and since then, the IBM development team has worked very hard to keep the solution up to date while maintaining its main strengths.

Some reasons for choosing OpenTM2

Open source

OpenTM2 is a non-proprietary translation memory solution released under the nonrestrictive Eclipse Public License that is suitable for use with both commercial software and with other open-source or free software. And with a growing community of developers, this means that you have the option of developing plug-ins tailored to your specific needs.

Lossless exchange of translation assets (translation memories, terminology)

OpenTM2 supports all open-exchange standards such as TMX, TBX, and XLIFF, so translation assets can be easily shared with any other translation platform.

Integrated translation environment

The translation editor, translation memories, and project glossaries are all integrated in the OpenTM2 Workbench. Translation memories are closely bundled with source files and bilingual files, so the translation memories are always updated without human intervention, even when global changes are made. This means that your project managers don’t have to waste time with the error-prone task of updating translation memories manually.

Filters for different file formats

Currently, OpenTM2 supports the following file formats: HTML (UTF-8 and ASCII), JAVA properties file (ASCII, ANSI, UTF-8, and escaped Unicode), OpenOffice files, XHTML, XLIFF, and generic XML. It also supports the import and export of TMX-format translation memory databases.

Powerful scripting for automating workflows

Workflows can be fully automated using scripting for many repetitive tasks. All tasks that can be done from the GUI can also be scripted to automate repetitive tasks such as creating a project, importing and pretranslating files, creating wordcounts, and exporting translated files, etc.

Enhanced translation productivity

For translators, fast response from the translation tool is essential to be truly productive. Unlike other cloud-based CAT tools, OpenTM2 provides translation memory matches without any network delay. At the same time, the OpenTM2 editor has some powerful features such as configurable shortcut keys, which can also enhance translators’ productivity.

XLATE: a built-in editor for software localization

The OpenTM2 Workbench includes XLATE, an editor for localizing resource files. With XLATE, translators can translate user interface strings in context and can resize dialog boxes to fit the translated text.

Advanced word counting

OpenTM2 provides previous and final word counts that allow you to see the activities performed by TranslationManager and by the translator to complete a translation. The translator’s work can be calculated based on these activities.