Cloud computing is a set of ICT services accessible on-demand and self-service via Internet technologies. The NIST, the US body for technology standards, lists four essential characteristics of cloud computing: broad network access, resource pooling, rapid elasticity/expansion, and measured service.  Let’s start from the beginning: Why do we use the term “cloud”? It all started in the mid-1990s, when computer scientists and engineers used a symbol that resembled a cloud to represent networked architectures in flowcharts. This led them to use the same sign to indicate the Internet par excellence, i.e. the web; therefore, the term “cloud” entered the dictionary as the name of the new computer services via the Internet. The term “cloud computing” in its modern context  was introduced in 2006, during a conference, by Google’s CEO at the time, Eric Schmidt. Since then, cloud computing has evolved as a key strategy for business development. We’ve already discussed how a cloud infrastructure, in combination with a solid translation management system (TMS), can play a big role in a flourishing interoperability strategy. In this article, we would like to highlight 5 ½ advantages of choosing a cloud-based TMS for your translation business. 1. Flexibility With a solid cloud infrastructure, you can make your translation project management activities more flexible, customizable, and scalable to the needs of your organization, allowing your team to respond to specific needs in a timely fashion. In addition, thanks to the gain in flexibility, your company can free the human and economic resources it needs to develop new services and business models. 2. Cost efficiency A cloud-based TMS can also be easily integrated in your IT infrastructure regardless of ownership and investment: There are no longer hardware costs except for the bare minimum needed for basic tasks (computers, routers, connectivity). You can do without local storage units and servers that require specialized management and maintenance personnel, and that take up physical space and amortization. Cloud computing can therefore bring great benefits in terms of savings and efficiency. Streamlining starts here. What’s more, there is no need to install and pay for expensive software, but instead a cloud-based TMS is usually available with a periodic fee or subscription. This cost is absorbed into the TCO for the expected duration of lease. 3. Resource centralization  Your TMS in the cloud is a container where your organization can collect all the necessary data. Project managers won’t have to send translation memories and term bases via e-mail to translators and reviewers, nor will they need to update and sync them once the project has been completed: The update and the maintenance of your linguistic resources can happen on the fly.    With a centralized vendor database, all the information you need about your vendors - not just contact data but all workable data (e.g. specialization, ratings, etc.) - will be available at a click. As we pointed out in previous articles, translation data is key in a business strategy. A centralized administrative database (with information about vendors and clients, projects, invoices, etc.), will help you to work with greater efficiency and reduce overhead. 4. Collaboration Not being limited by hardware or software brings a huge advantage, i.e. the ability to use cloud-based applications anywhere, anytime, regardless of device (desktop, laptop, tablet, even a smartphone).   With a cloud-based TMS your team can manage projects, process documents, access and share resources in real time as well as keep them always up to date. Additionally, your team members can be anywhere in the world whilst still collaborating on the same projects and files.  5. Data protection and security For every company it’s important to invest in infosec, and disaster recovery is crucial for any LSP. However, due to lack of capital and expertise, some companies might find this often to be more a dream than reality. The cloud can be of help when it comes to security. In fact, your translation technology provider will take on the most burdensome and costly aspects of security on your behalf. A damaged or crashed computer can be problematic, but more damage can result from the loss of business (and sensitive) data. An advantage of the cloud is that it can offer you better security when something like this happens: You can have access to your data regardless of what happens to your laptops or desktops. If necessary, you can also delete all data from damaged/crashed computers and start afresh. Last, but not least, your tech vendor will take care of any disaster recovery plan and you can count on having all your data always available, untouched, and accessible. Now, you are probably wondering what the half advantage is that we mentioned in the title. That is the expertise and native cloud-based technology that Wordbee can offer to your translation business. To turn this half advantage into a full benefit, all you have to do is contact us. Our team is ready to advise you on the best cloud implementation strategy for your translation business.