At Avantpage, each translation project is closely aligned with our quality assurance process. Each translation request goes through several quality assurance stages:

Editing
The editor checks the translation for accuracy and compliance with the client's specifications; looks for typos, grammatical mistakes; and checks style, consistency, and more.

Terminology Control
The translated text is processed with a QA tool to make sure all the terms match the terms on the client's terminological database or glossary. There are several tools available for this purpose.

Review/Proofreading
This is a target-audience review to ensure cultural appropriateness. This review is made by people familiar with the target community.

Correction
The translation goes back to the translator and/or editor with the client's feedback, and the changes can be accepted (or rejected).

Back Translation
This is an optional stage, where the translated text is back translated into the original language to ensure the customer that there were no omissions, additions, or any alteration to the main message or meaning of the text.

Client Review
The client has the opportunity to review the translation and make any preferential changes. The translator approves (or rejects) the changes.

Desktop Publishing
After all linguistic steps are completed, we typeset the file so that it matches cultural appropriateness, specific client preferences, selection of images, character sets, page size, etc., according to the target language.

Proofing
In this final stage, a proofer evaluates the final file against the original file looking for compliance with the project specifications.

To find out more about Avantpage's our QA process, call 877-ANY-LANG or email info@avantpage.com today!

As a health care provider, you know that clear, open communication with your clients is critical.  If your LEP (Limited English Proficient) clients don't fully understand discharge instructions, insurance information, consent forms, applications, and other written materials, you may be putting them - as well as yourself and your organization - at risk.

When you make an effort to communicate with your clients in their primary language, the benefits are enormous. You will improve understanding of insurance and plan guidelines; reduce medical misunderstandings, billing errors and potential malpractice charges; and provide the opportunity for more positive health outcomes across the board.

At Avantpage, we specialize in translation for the healthcare industry, and work closely with some of today's largest healthcare organizations.

• We translate into more than 150 languages
• Our work is accurate, culturally sensitive and consistent
• We use state-of-the-art web-based translation technology
• We take steps to ensure our services remain affordable and cost-effective
• We work with you to create a translation program that fits your needs, budget and compliance requirements

To discover how Avantpage can provide affordable, accurate, high-quality translation services for you, click here.  To get a quote for translation services, click here.

Don't let inaccuracies in translation hinder the effectiveness of your message, drive off potential business, or compromise patient care.

If not, maybe it's time to take another look! Our clients who use it, love it and here's why: AvantFlow--our signature online translation management system--is a free-of-charge, easy, systematic way to request quotes and projects from us. It also serves as a secure online central repository to store and retrieve all your translation project files.

In addition, you can also use AvantFlow to instantly check project status, give detailed project instructions, upload source files, assign due dates and deadlines, and much more.

To schedule your 15-minute demo, call me at 530-750-2040, x3, or email me at laura@avantpage.com. The demo will give you an idea of how AvantFlow works, how simple it is to use, and how effective it can be in requesting/storing projects and monitoring ongoing work.I look forward to hearing from you!

Laura Kujubu, VP of Customer Relations

Pre-Qualification
Translators can apply for work via our Careers page on our website or they can be referred by translators who already work with Avantpage. Translators must submit their Request for Qualifications form to qualify; they must perform sample tests in their areas of expertise; and they must send a sample of their work along with the original source document, and a valid Certification of Membership to ATA, a Court Certification, or a Certification from an equivalent Professional Translation Institution.

Qualification
Once the translator is pre-qualified, we interview them, and our Project Management team works with him/her in a "test" project to evaluate quality, responsiveness, and turnaround times. The translation is reviewed by the Lead Translator to check accuracy and quality with the original file. If these stages are completed successfully, the translator signs the nondisclosure agreement, and they are monitored for 3 months by our PM team and the Lead Translator for that language.

Permanent Team Members
Translators receive training on our online project management systems (AvantFlow and AvantForum), Translation Tools (SDLX, Trados), AvantMemory/XTM, teamwork, Avantpage quality control process, and Avantpage customer service guidelines. All our translators receive permanent feedback and training in order to continuously be updated in their performance. Each language team has access to AvantForum to share best practices with the rest of the Avantpage Translators' team.

Continuous Evaluation and Skill Updating
Translators are periodically evaluated to ensure they have been performing well for our customers. In addition we survey them for new skills or tools they have acquired, continuing education courses, and ask them how we can improve our systems or processes.

To find out more about Avantpage's translators, call 877-ANY-LANG or email info@avantpage.com today!

In response to the current regulatory climate, many companies are in need of translation services for the first time.

Avantpage has responded with a report on 10 industry "best practices" that will help any business navigate the process of obtaining, coordinating, and evaluating translation services. These best practices are especially relevant for companies in the healthcare industry.

Because Avantpage realizes how important it is to get things right from the beginning, included are tips for getting started, questions businesses need to ask at the start of the process, as well as potential pitfalls to avoid.

The complete report can be downloaded here. 

Greetings from the Avantpage blogosphere! We'd like to take just a moment to "blog about our blog" and touch base with you, our readers. We created the Avantpage blog as a forum for translation news, events, trends, commentary and more.  We have found it is a wonderful method for getting information out quickly to our readers, focusing on certain topics we feel would be of interest, and giving our team members a way to connect with clients, prospects, and anyone interested in the translation industry.

We hope that our blog has given readers greater insight into who we are, what we do, and where we are going.  It's a wonderful vehicle for industry news and updates, but also a place where we can offer readers a window into our beliefs, our mission and our vision here at Avantpage.

Sharing information through the informal structure of our blog allows our team members to hand-pick topics that are interesting, relevant, and up-to-the-minute. 

At Avantpage we find the world of translation fascinating, (we wouldn't be here if we didn't) and we hope that our blog conveys our enthusiasm and our love for what we do.  Clear communication - in any language - is our goal at Avantpage.  We hope you enjoy reading the blog as much as we enjoy writing it! We invite you to email us and let us know how we're doing!

The Avantpage Team

Health Benefit Exchange Gives Uninsured Consumers Access to High-Quality, Affordable Health Care

In accordance with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, passed in March of 2010, the California Health Benefit Exchange is slated to go into effect on January 1, 2014. The Health Benefit Exchange is essentially a health plan "marketplace" where uninsured individuals and small businesses can shop for and purchase high-quality health insurance. Individuals with low to moderate incomes, and small businesses of less than 100 employees will be eligible for federal tax credits and cost-sharing subsidies previously only available to those with employer-based heath insurance.

Through the California Health Benefit Exchange, consumers will be able to shop for and purchase health insurance on the private market. They will gain greater purchasing power due to a more stable risk pool, increased competition among insurers, and the ability to "comparison shop" for healthcare.

The Exchange will operate as a web-based service that acts as a "portal" for numerous health plans, enabling health care plan shoppers to compare coverage, offerings, rates, services and more. The Exchange will provide clear, easy-to-understand information to consumers through their website, which will offer standardized, detailed information about the plans, access to health plan experts, and a toll-free number to call for more information.

If you would like to learn more about the California Health Benefit Exchange and its impact on translation needs, download our Special Report. Although the Exchange will not go into effect until 2014, many health care organizations are already laying the groundwork for ramped-up translation efforts utilizing numerous threshold languages.  Starting the translation process now will ensure that LEP healthcare consumers have the information they need to make informed decisions once they are using the Health Benefit Exchange website.

1. Who Are Avantpage's Translators?
At Avantpage, our translators are the lifeblood of our company. Their skills, knowledge, and expertise enable us to provide accurate, quality translation in well over 150 languages for a diverse client base, including healthcare, financial, education, government and more. At Avantpage, our translators are much more than just foreign language experts. They have a passion for linguistics, a gift for understanding the finer points of syntax, grammar, and style, and a profound knowledge of how language and culture affects written and oral communication, beliefs, and behaviors.

2. How Are Translators Selected?
We select our translators very carefully, and they must go through a rigorous qualification/training process before being asked to join the Avantpage team. We choose individuals based on their depth of knowledge, experience, and professionalism, and offer complete training on our online project management systems, translation tools, quality control processes, company expectations, and specific customer service guidelines.

3. What Can You Expect?
When you choose Avantpage for your translation needs, you can rest assured you will be working with the best translators in the business - experienced, focused, expert, individuals who put their heart and soul into every translation project they take on.

To find out more about Avantpage's translators, call 877-ANY-LANG or email info@avantpage.com today!

By tapping into next generation web-based technologies, Avantpage has increased our online capabilities and streamlined our translation processes. Navigation, customization, communication - it's all easier, faster, and more efficient than ever before.

We've designed three powerful software applications - AvantFlow, AvantMemory, and AvantForum - to work cohesively and provide a more productive, user-friendly online translation environment.

What can you expect to gain from putting these tools to use? For starters, you'll have greater control over all your translation projects, from initial quote to final delivery. You'll gain instant online access to all aspects of a project's
progress, which makes monitoring and tracking that much easier. These tools give you the freedom to spend less time on administrative tasks, troubleshooting and backtracking - and more time overseeing the quality, accuracy, consistency and timelines of the projects themselves.

AvantFlow allows you to manage, organize, and keep track of all your translation projects

AvantFlow is our signature online project management system, now upgraded and revised to be more practical and accessible than ever before. Easier site navigation, improved access to resources and faster response times are just some of the latest improvements. Use AvantFlow to request quotes, instantly check project status, give detailed project instructions, upload source files, assign due dates and deadlines, and much more.

AvantMemory lets you access and manage your translation assets more easily and effectively

AvantMemory is a web-based system that streamlines the translation process, providing greater client control. AvantMemory includes customized linguistic glossaries that save specific terminology and style preferences; allows multiple vendors to work with the same assets in real time; allows linguistic team members to work concurrently; and lets work on a project proceed with multiple languages simultaneously.

AvantForum facilitates communication and collaboration in real time between project stakeholders

Through AvantForum, all communication relating to a specific project is captured in one central online location. All project stakeholders have instant access to the same information, including preferences and requirements, online conversations, emails, meeting notes and more. AvantForum minimizes the possibility of critical information "slipping through the cracks," while maximizing client/translation team collaboration and effectiveness.

Through the use of these next generation technologies, we'll be able to focus all of our efforts on providing exceptional translation and language services. And you will be able to keep your translation projects moving forward smoothly - on target, on time and under budget.

Call us today for a free demo of any of these technologies at 877-ANY-LANG or info@avantpage.com.

Avantpage has agreed to act as a non-exclusive agent for sales of XTM Cloud computing solutions to companies and organizations in North and Central America. Avantpage is pleased to have this opportunity to work with XTM International to reach new markets.

Click here for more information.