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A translation management system (TMS) supports connectors (or integrations), which are software components or plugins that facilitate integration between other systems or platforms and the translation management system. Connectors allow data and content to flow between the external systems and the TMS, and they can be either out-of-the-box or custom.
What are out-of-the-box connectors?
An out of the box (OOTB) connector is a pre-configured integration that is readily available “off the shelf” and can be set up straight away without much or any customization. OOTB connectors are usually developed by the TMS provider for more prominent content-authoring systems, such as Adobe Experience Manager or Hubspot. They use standard functionalities and predefined workflows that cater to the most common use cases.
For example, the content is selected for translation directly in the authoring platform, the target languages are chosen in the TMS integration, and the content is sent for translation. Once the translation is completed, it’s sent back and imported directly back into the original authoring tool through the connector, ready to be published. The main benefit of an OOTB connector is that it can be deployed straight away after deploying the TMS and that it is a more affordable option in comparison with a custom connector.
What are custom connectors?
On the other hand, a custom connector usually is developed specifically at an organization’s request to meet their particular requirements. The development of a custom connector takes a lot more time (weeks or months, depending on the complexity of the platform), as typically it needs to be created from scratch and can cost up to 8x more than an OOTB connector.
Custom connectors are usually needed when users need to connect the TMS to a proprietary system or because their localization workflows and requirements are very specific and cannot be supported by default connectors.
Out of the box
Pros
Immediate deployment
Lower costs
No maintenance required from customer
Troubleshoot directly through provider
Continuous improvement (roadmap)
Cons
Lower degree of customization available
Dependency on developer updates
Lack of workflow flexibility
Limited deployment options
Less influence on roadmap
Custom
Pros
More reliable and robust integration
Tailored to your needs
High level of vendor support
Can be developed in reusable modules
Cons
Weeks or months to deployment
Higher costs
No official support from provider
Backwards compatibility not guaranteed
Expert tip
The choice between an out of the box connector and a custom one depends entirely on your requirements. Time, budget, workflow flexibility, and desired level of customization are all factors that play a part in the choice of connector type. If your budget is on the lower end and your authoring-platform requirements are not too specific, an OOTB connector should work well for your program. However, if you have a more flexible budget and you use a proprietary authoring tool or have very unique workflow requirements, a custom connector is the best option for you.”
Alejandro Cañete
Xpert at XTM International
