Frequently Asked Questions

Our top frequently asked questions

1. What do I get when I order SDL Trados Studio 2009 Service Pack 2 (SP2) Professional?
2. Do you offer persons who become SDL Certified help in getting translation work?
3. If I do not purchase a Premium Software Maintenance Agreement (PSMA), how do I resolve technical issues?
4. Do I have to buy an upgrade each year?
5. What does SDL Certification mean and do I really need it?
6. Where and how can I purchase a Premium Software Maintenance Agreement on your website?
7. What are SDL Trados Studio 2009 SP2 Professional’s system requirements?
8. Does SDL Trados work on a Macintosh?
9. How many languages does SDL Trados Studio handle?
10. What happened to SDLX and Translator’s Workbench?

What is included in SDL Trados Studio 2009 Service Pack 2 (SP2) Professional?  
SDL Trados Studio 2009 SP2 Professional includes the following applications: SDL Trados Studio 2009 SP1, SDL MultiTerm 2009, SDL Trados WinAlign, SDL Passolo Essential, SDL PerfectMatch, SDL Trados 2007 Suite.

Do you offer persons 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 Premium Software Maintenance Agreement (PSMA,) how do I resolve technical issues?
If you choose not to purchase a PSMA then you will be able to receive technical assistence 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 Premium Software Maintenance Agreement (PSMA), then you will automatically receive free upgrades as soon as new versions of your SDL products are released. If you do not own a PSMA, then we recommend that you upgrade your software regularly so you can benefit from new features 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 Premium Software Maintenance Agreement (PSMA) on your web site?
It is not currently possible to purchase a PSMA online.  You can however purchase a PSMA by contacting one of our Contracts and Renewals Executives by telephone on +44 (0)1628 416338 or by email.

What are SDL Trados Studio 2009 SP2 Professional’s system requirements?
SDL Trados Studio 2009 SP2 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 2009 you must be using SDL MultiTerm Extract 2009. Previous versions of SDL MultiTerm Extract will not work with SDL MultiTerm 2009.

Does SDL Trados Studio work on a Macintosh?
Although SDL Trados Studio does not officially support Macintosh, we have had many success stories from users running Windows on a MAC.

Please note that SDL Trados Studio will not install or run on MAC OS X directly. In order to run SDL Trados Studio on a MAC you will need to install Microsoft Windows on a Virtual Machine, such as Parallels. You will then be able to run Windows on your MAC which will enable you to install SDL Trados Studio the usual way.

Installation guidelines:

1. Download SDL Trados Studio on to your Windows Desktop, do not download it onto your MAC OS X desktop.
2. Download your Softkey license file to your Windows Desktop, do not download it onto your MAC OS X desktop. If you are using an activation code then please ignore this step.
3. Double-click the SDL installer and follow the instructions provided.
4. When prompted for a license, enter the path to your soft key license file or your activation code.

SDL Trados Studio should then install successfully

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

What happened to SDLX and Translator’s Workbench?
The new SDL Trados Studio 2009 SP1 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 2009 SP1 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.

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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 SDL Trados Studio 2009 Service Pack 2 (SP2) Professional's system requirements?
6. Does SDL Trados Studio 2009 SP2 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 require SDL software?
10. Can you open Wordfast memory with SDL Trados Studio software? Can you combine the memory from SDL Trados Studio and Wordfast 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 licence 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 your 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.

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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.

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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.

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What is automated translation? 
Automated translation utilizes machine technology to instantly provide a translation. SDL Trados Studio 2009 integrates automated translation (beta) with translation memory and terminology management, saving considerable costs. Find out about the automated translation enhancements in SP2.

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What are SDL Trados Studio 2009 Service Pack 2 (SP2) Professional’s system requirements?
SDL Trados Studio 2009 SP2 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 2009 you must be using SDL MultiTerm Extract 2009. Previous versions of SDL MultiTerm Extract will not work with SDL MultiTerm 2009.

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Does SDL Trados Studio work on a Macintosh?
Although SDL Trados Studio does not officially support Macintosh, we have had many success stories from users running Windows on a MAC.

Please note that SDL Trados Studio will not install or run on MAC OS X directly. In order to run SDL Trados Studio on a MAC you will need to install Microsoft Windows on a Virtual Machine, such as Parallels. You will then be able to run Windows on your MAC which will enable you to install SDL Trados Studio the usual way.

Installation guidelines:

1. Download SDL Trados Studio on to your Windows Desktop, do not download it onto your MAC OS X desktop.
2. Download your Softkey license file to your Windows Desktop, do not download it onto your MAC OS X desktop. If you are using an activation code then please ignore this step.
3. Double-click the SDL installer and follow the instructions provided.
4. When prompted for a license, enter the path to your soft key license file or your activation code.

SDL Trados Studio should then install successfully

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What happened to SDLX and Translator’s Workbench?
The new SDL Trados Studio 2009 SP2 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 2009 SP2 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.  [Back to top]

How many languages does SDL Trados Studio 2009 Professional handle?
With SDL Trados Studio 2009 Professional, you can work with an unlimited number of languages. Follow the link for a list of languages available.

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Why do I require SDL Trados Studio 2009 SP2 Professional?
SDL Trados Studio 2009 SP2 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!

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Can you open a Wordfast translation memory with SDL Trados Studio software? Can you combine translation memories from Wordfast and SDL Trados Studio to create a larger translation memory with SDL Trados Studio 2009 SP2 Professional?
You can open a Wordfast translation 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 Wordfast and SDL Trados translation memories, you will need to export your Wordfast translation memories into TMX format and then import them into your new or existing file within SDL Trados Studio.

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Do I need to upgrade Trados 5.x 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 (SP2) installed.

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How many separate installations does one license allow?
You can install SDL Trados Studio 2009 SP2 Professional on more than one computer, as long as you do not run both versions at the same time. 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 2009 SP2 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:
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 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.

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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.

Buying frequently asked questions

1. What happens when I order SDL software from LSPzone?
2. What payment methods do you accept at LSPzone 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 Premium Software Maintenance Agreement (PSMA)?
5. Is the maintenance package an annual fee?
6. What is the cost of a Premium Software Maintenance Agreement (PSMA)?
7. How do I buy from the web?

What happens when I order SDL software from LSPzone?
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.

What payment methods do you accept at LSPzone 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 a credit card – American Express, Visa or Mastercard and with Switch/Maestro cards. A further method of payment that is available is via bank wire transfer. Please note that if you choose to pay by 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.

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.

How do I order a Premium Software Maintenance Agreement (PSMA)?
You can order software 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 by telephone.

Is the Premium Software Maintenance Agreement (PSMA) an annual fee?
Yes it is an annual fee.

What is the cost of the Premium Software Maintenance Agreement (PSMA)?
The PSMA 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

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

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Support frequently asked questions

1. Is the Premium Software Maintenance Agreement (PSMA) an annual fee?
2. What is the cost of a Premium Software Maintenance Agreement (PSMA)?
3. After reformatting our computers SDL Trados 2007 was deleted, how do we re-install?
4. How do I retrieve my lic.file from the old computer?
5. Where can I get help with my installation and licensing?
6. Why doesn’t SDL MultiTerm 2009 Extract not work?
7. What countries provide support?
8. If I have a Premium Software Maintenance Agreement (PSMA), will I get telephone support?
9. Where can I find information about how to use the Support portal?
10. I am interested in understanding more about your products
11. Where can I find more information on SDL training?
12. What is the difference between an activation code and floating license?
13. How do I request a quotation?

Is the Premium Software Maintenance Agreement (PSMA) an annual fee?
The Premium Software Maintenance Agreement (PSMA) is an annual contract that shall be renewed automatically unless we have been notified otherwise by a customer prior to the renewal date.

[Back to top]What is the cost of the Premium Software Maintenance Agreement (PSMA)?
The cost of the PSMA package depends on the level and the number of licenses that a customer currently has using. You can choose the level of support that best fits your needs.

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After reformatting our computers SDL Trados 2007 was deleted, how do we re-install?
You will need to go to your account area at: https://oos.sdl.com/asp/products/ssl/account/default.asp

Log in with your username and password and select “Go to My Downloads”

You should see your SDL Trados 2007 in your Downloads area. If you have any problems accessing your software please Select “My Support” and go to the Installation and Licensing area and follow the steps of our Solution Finder "Download & Installation Problems".

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How do I retrieve my lic.file from the old computer?
Please go to the following and log your request: https://oos.sdl.com/asp/products/ssl/account/default.asp

Login with user name (this is usually your email address) and enter your password:

Select: “Go To My Support »”

Under: Licensing and Installation Help
Select: “Go »”

Go to end of page and select “Start”

At the top of the page, select “Solution Finder”

From the left hand side of the page select what you need help on, for instance, “Licensing Problems”

Answer the questions and select “Next”

If you haven’t found your answer, please fill in the form and select “Submit Query”

A support engineer will get back to you with help on installation and licensing.

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Where can I get help with my installation and licensing?
Please go to the following and log your request: https://oos.sdl.com/asp/products/ssl/account/default.asp

Login with user name (this is usually your email address) and enter your password:

Select: “Go To My Support »” Under: Licensing and Installation Help, Select: “Go »”

Select: “Go To My Support »”

Under: Licensing and Installation Help
Select: “Go »”

Go to end of page and select “Start”

At the top of the page, select “Solution Finder”

From the left hand side of the page select what you need help on, for instance, “Licensing Problems”

Answer the questions and select “Next”

If you haven’t found your answer, please fill in the form and select “Submit Query”

A support engineer will get back to you with help on installation and licensing.

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Why does SDL MultiTerm 2009 Extract not work?
When you purchase SDL MultiTerm 2009, SDL MultiTerm Extract is automatically installed with it. However, this is a separate product that has its own license. If you did not purchase SDL MultiTerm Extract it will only run in demo mode.

If you would like to purchase SDL MultiTerm Extract please go to our shop

For more information on SDL MultiTerm Extract please go here.

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What countries provide support?
The following countries provide support through our offices:
England, Germany, Belgium, USA, Japan and China. You can log your cases in English, German, French, Dutch, Japanese or Chinese. Please note that the choice of language may influence our response time.

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If I have a Premium Software Maintenance Agreement (PSMA), will I get telephone support
Yes, if you have a Premium Software Maintenance Agreement (PSMA) you will have access to telephone support. However, before you call in please log a case on the support center. The hotline telephone support is manned from 9.00am - 5.00pm in each local office that provides support. You can find the numbers in the list displayed when you open one of your open or closed cases in the Support portal.

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If you require further information regarding support please visit http://talisma.sdl.com/index.aspx?t=faq 

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Activation code licenses (sometimes also referred to as ‘Product Activation Codes’) use a unique 21-character code to activate (register) or de-activate (return) the software license via the Internet. This allows users to move their license from one machine to another in a simple and secure manner.

To activate your activation code, please follow the instructions below:

• Login to your SDL Account
• Go to the My Downloads section
• Download and install your software on your chosen machine
• Go to the SDL License Manager
  (Start > Programs > SDL International > [Product Name] > License Manager)
• Go to the License Manager (initially this will be blank)
• Click on the Activate License option to activate the Product Activation Wizard
• Copy and paste the activation code from your SDL Account into the boxes and click ‘Next’
• You will then get a message informing you that the activation has been successful

To return your license so that you can use it on a different computer, please follow the instructions below:

• Go to the SDL License Manager
  (Start > Programs > SDL International > [Product Name] > License Manager)
• Select View Activated Licenses
• Highlight the Fulfilment ID of the Activation code to enable the Return License button
• Once available click the Return License button and you will receive confirmation that the license is now available to use on another machine

Activation code licenses are perfect for users with access to the Internet who wish to have the flexibility of moving their license from one machine to another (Internet connection is only required to activate and return licenses).

A floating license allows multiple workstations to share access to specific number of software licenses. These licenses are stored on a server, not an individual workstation.

For example, if SDL Trados Studio is installed on 100 workstations and a 20 user license is set up on a license server. Only 20 people can be using the software at the same time, but it can be any of the 100 possible workstations.  Unlike activation codes, they do not need to be de-activated and manually re-activated on another machine to transfer the license.  On starting the SDL software, the machines contact the license server and are allocated a license on a first come, first served basis. If all 20 licenses are in use, then the 21st user will not be able to run the product with licensed functionality until at least one of the other users closes their SDL software, releasing a license automatically.

Floating licenses are ideal for organizations who wish to share a certain number of licenses amongst a larger number of users on the same network. This is particularly useful in situations where users in different time zones will not need to access the same software, at the same time.

To find out more about the difference types of license used by SDL software, please visit the SDL KnowledgeBase.

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Request a Quotation

Ensure that you when you hit a problem you can contact our highly experienced support team.

Be confident that your next 12 months SDL product upgrades and updates are already paid for.

Whether you are an existing customer or new to SDL products, find out the cost of protecting your software investment by emailing the PSMA team and we’ll be happy to give you a quotation.

• contractrenewals@sdl.com
• +44 1628 410 165

Would you like to know more about other products and services? Simply login to your account and request a quotation

Alternatively you can purchase our software via the online shop and the option to add a valuable PSMA to your purchase is available once you have finalised your shopping basket - simply click the button Proceed to Checkout and the option to add a PSMA will appear.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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 the SDL Trados 2007 option. What do I have to do to upgrade my Certification?
10. I am going through Certification for SDL Trados 2007, how does this affect me?
11. How much does both on-line and on-site training cost?
12. What is the difference between onsite and online training?
13. Where is the onsite training being delivered?
14. How is the online training being delivered, in which language, is it interactive, who is the caller?
15. What is the duration and workflow of the online training?
16. How can SDL Certification help me win business?
17. Do I need to be trained in SDL Trados Studio 2009 and SDL MultiTerm 2009 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 2009 or SDL MultiTerm 2009  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 2009 and SDL MultiTerm 2009 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 2009 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 2009 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 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 Pricelist

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 Centre facilities or at a customer's own chosen site.

Online training is live, non-interactive, 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 Centre facilities or at a customer's own chosen 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, some of which are available on a public, schedule of course dates, some of which can be delivered on a request only basis.  See the online course schedule for further information on this. The training is not interactive but is delivered live with the ability to ask questions at the end of the session. The online training sessions are delivered by an Authorised SDL Trainer.

What is the duration and workflow of the online training?

The duration of our online courses is 3 hours. The workflow is a detailed in the individual course outlines.

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 LSPzone offer?
2. Should I have a profile on LSPzone?
3. What is the difference between my LSPzone 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)?

What is the difference between my LSPzone profile and my SDL account at the Customer Center?
Your LSPzone profile is essentially a description of your skills, Certification status, expertise and qualifications as an LSP, posted to our online database. One of the many benefits of being an SDL customer is that you can promote your business on our LSPzone website. Your SDL account at the Customer Center is where you download SDL software, updates, upgrades, patches, softkey licenses, etc. You also have seperate log in details for the LSPzone directory and the account at the Customer Center.

How do I update my profile on the LSP directory?
To update the details in your profile for the LSP Directory you will need to log in to your profile here. Once you have logged in you will be able to add/update your details by selecting edit by each section. If you have any problems with the profile you can contact us at lspzone-info@sdl.com

How do I update my details in my Account?
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 LSPzone at 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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