The language industry is changing fast. For years, we used acronyms like TMS (Translation Management System) and LSP (Language Service Provider) to describe how the industry works.
But as Gabriel Fairman asked Anna Wyndham in the latest Merging Minds episode:
“What happens when TMS is no longer the right word?”
That question opens the door to a bigger conversation: Are our old terms holding us back from seeing the true transformation happening in language today?
The End of TMS
TMS once described the platforms companies used to manage translation projects. It was accurate in a world where translation meant documents moving from one language to another.
But as Anna pointed out, the scope has expanded:
“When we talk about TMS today, it doesn’t capture what’s really going on in the market.”
AI, automation, and multimodal content have changed everything.
Companies don’t just need project management.
They need integration across content, data, and technology. TMS is simply too narrow a term for what’s happening now.
Enter LSI and LTP
This is where two new terms come in:
- LSI (Language Solutions Integrators): Agencies and companies that go beyond delivering translations. They integrate technology, workflows, and strategy into full solutions for clients.
- LTP (Language Technology Platforms): Tools that don’t just manage projects but power the ecosystem of AI, automation, and multimodal language support.
As Gabriel explained, these terms better reflect today’s needs:
“We’re moving from managing translations to integrating solutions. From systems that track projects to platforms that drive strategy.”
Why the Shift Matters
Changing acronyms isn’t just semantics. It’s about how the industry sees itself and how buyers see value.
- For agencies: Remaining only an LSP risks being outdated. Becoming an LSI positions them as true partners.
- For technology providers: Staying as a TMS ignores the broader transformation. Adopting LTP shows alignment with future demands.
- For buyers: The shift makes it easier to understand what they are really buying solutions and platforms, not just “services” or “systems.”
Anna summarized it clearly:
“We need a new language for our industry, one that reflects reality and helps us move forward.”
What This Means for the Future
This shift raises big questions for everyone in the language industry:
- Will agencies embrace the role of integrators instead of just providers?
- Can technology platforms evolve beyond management and become true enablers of strategy?
- Are we ready to let go of familiar acronyms and accept new ones that describe a new era?
Gabriel framed it as a wake-up call:
“It’s not just about what we call things. It’s about what we do and how we adapt to survive.”
Final Thoughts
- TMS and LSP are outdated terms that no longer capture the reality of the industry.
- LSI and LTP better describe the shift toward integration, platforms, and AI-driven solutions.
- Agencies and tech providers must embrace this new framework or risk being left behind.
- Language is evolving, even the language we use to talk about our own industry.
The future of language isn’t about acronyms. It’s about whether the industry is willing to evolve.
By adopting new ways of thinking, and new terms like LSI and LTP, we can better describe, and better shape, the next era of translation and localization.
At Bureau Works, we believe the future of translation goes beyond outdated acronyms.
Our platform is built to help agencies and enterprises act as true Language Solutions Integrators with the power of an LTP behind them.
Ready to see how Bureau Works can future-proof your localization strategy? Book a demo today
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