The goal of TM portability is to maximize the re-usability of translations created in one environment when importing them for re-use in another. As an example, you might create a TM by translating RTF files with one software package and use the new data later with another software package while translating HTML. To accomplish this, you start by exporting your first TM into the TMX format. For another software package to make effective use of this TMX-formatted memory, it must properly import the TM for its use.

To limit any loss, the exporting software must output into a form that strictly adheres to the TMX specification, and the importing software must flawlessly import the data using the same exact TMX specification. If either product doesn’t strictly conform to TMX, you can lose valuable data – that’s why the Localization Industry Standard Association (LISA) created the TMX certification testing process, the TMX eXchange standard and the licensed TMX logo.

Only products that have passed third-party
certification testing can carry the TMX logo

It is possible for products to conform to TMX for only parts of the process, such as only importing TMX but not properly exporting TMX-formatted memories, or vice versa. However, products that carry the TMX logo can only do so if they have successfully passed the entire TMX certification testing process defined by LISA and administered by the Localization Testing Resource Center (LTRC), an independent third-party testing facility. Products with the TMX logo give you the highest level of portability for re-use.

Look for the TMX logo - it protects the future value of your translation investment.

Find out more about TMX at www.lisa.org/tmx

This message has been sponsored by the following companies who are committed to supporting the TMX Open Standard for Translation Memories