SDL.com

Benefits

Benefits

What are the benefits of working with SDL as a freelancer?

Our extensive resources, experience and professionalism are just some of the many plus points of working with SDL - one of the World's leading suppliers of localization services to the IT, engineering, e-business & Multimedia sectors. In addition, SDL's registered freelance translators are guaranteed entry on the SDL Vendor Database, accessed by more than 350 project managers and linguists throughout the world-wide SDL group.

What our freelancers say about us

We could have written many things about the advantages of working with SDL International but what better than direct feedback from current freelance translators on the Vendor Database.
This will enable you to see just how we build up our partnership with external resources in the middle and long terms.


Michael Hörmann - Freelancer working with SDL since 1996
"I have been working as a freelance translator for SDL since 1995, on lots of different software localization projects, and the experience has always been extremely positive. As one of the major players in the translation industry, SDL has enormous resources and offers a high degree of professionalism that is hard to find elsewhere, especially at smaller translation agencies. I've been working for some of those too, and I've become convinced size matters after all.
SDL provides me with everything I need to focus on my work as a translator, such as adequate glossaries, reference material, and translation tools. In the software localization business, schedules are invariably tight, so I don't want to lose precious time while converting document formats, doing word counts or waiting for the current beta to arrive. No need for that with SDL. Whenever a new project enters the translation phase, everything is in the place right from the beginning: The files are ready for translation, word counts have been done and reasonable deadlines have been set, and the beta CD has been delivered to my postbox.
For a home-based freelance translator, who has to stay in touch with project managers and lead translators via e-mail and telephone, efficient communication is essential. I have always been able to count on SDL staff to respond to my queries virtually in real-time. What's more, the company is not only large (and expanding fast), it's also extremely well organised. I always know who's responsible for what, and in between all those managers and engineers and DTP people, there's always a competent person who is really committed to the project I'm working on and who will be happy to handle any questions or problems. Translating is hard work, and doing it well is even harder, but with SDL as partner it's definitely no harder than it needs to be."

Sandra Rattenni - Freelancer working with SDL since 1998
"I have been working with SDL as a freelance translator for the past two years and I have always found them to be courteous and fair-minded. The projects are usually well suited to my specific domain and deadlines and deliverables are indicated clearly and without ambiguity. I always know who the project managers and language co-ordinators are and they in turn generally know in which projects I have been involved in the past, thus allowing for a continuous relationship to be built. It is nice to deal with people you are familiar with and this also helps to solve problems quickly and efficiently.
Purchase orders are most of the time handed over at the beginning or shortly after a project and consequent payments are made punctually. Generally speaking, SDL treats its freelance translators with regard to their needs and demands and recognition of their skills."

Anne-Céline Deudon - Freelancer working with SDL since 1996
"As a freelance translator I have been working with SDL since 1996 and have always had a good professional relationship with them. I appreciate working with SDL because, in the course of all projects, I am always considered as a true co-worker and not just as a 'mailbox'. Project managers take into account my remarks and suggestions, even if our views differ. I always receive answers to my questions and feedback regarding my work, which means that my translation is reviewed and proofread and not just sent "as is" to the client.
Therefore, I feel that the people in SDL take their job as seriously as I take mine. I was almost never asked to do a job within unrealistic deadlines and when I feel that I need more time for a project, I obtain an extension. This proves that SDL favours quality over productivity. Recently, I was asked to come to the SDL offices in England to work on a project. This was a great experience for me, as I had the opportunity to see the people with whom I have been working over the phone for the past four years. It was nice to be able to 'put a face on a voice', and to get to know each other a little more."