Should you go for the lowest price quoted?

When we are looking to buy consumer goods, low price is quite often the first consideration. But when purchasing a product such as translation, human skill is what determines the quality of the final product.  If you have spent thousands or even millions of dollars developing your particular service, product or technology, protect your investment by hiring a translation firm that is experienced  and reputable.  Translation is not merely typing in a foreign language, it is a complicated process that is time consuming and requires special skills and expert management.  Going for the cheapest price may cost you more in the long run because of misinterpretations or confusion caused by an inferior quality translation, or simply because an inexperienced translator does not take sufficient time for proofing and revision before submitting the final draft.

You have a huge document to translate  – should you divide it into sections and contract several translation companies working independently to meet your short timeline?

This solution to the problem of waiting to the last minute to find a translation firm to translate a large document will result in a mangled translation full of inconsistencies in terminology and writing styles.  At the very least it will be confusing to the target audience but it may possibly jeopardize your multi-thousand or million dollar investment.  If it has taken you several months to prepare your documentation, it is crucial to allow sufficient time for the translation firm to schedule and manage the translation and its revision, editing and proofing.  If your timeline is short, before you have finished preparing your document, contact translation companies to request quotations and enquire about the time required to coordinate the translation project. An experienced translation company can assign different translators while supervising and monitoring the project to ensure terminology is consistent throughout the documentation.

The following are some comments from a few of ACASA Translation's satisfied customers.

"For over four years ACASA Translation has provided Bulkflow Technologies Inc. with excellent translation services in several European languages. They have been a pleasure to work with!"
Neville Jordison, President, Bulkflow Technologies Inc., Calgary, Alberta, Canada

"Tesco has used ACASA for approximately 4 years for translation to and from Spanish and French for contracts, correspondence, manuals and other documentation. We have been and continue to be impressed with the professionalism, accuracy and timeliness provided by the translators at ACASA. They are always my first call for any translation requirements and always the first group I recommend when asked." Marion Jerome, Insurance Administrator, Tesco Corporation, a drilling services company in Calgary, Alberta, Canada