Consulting & system integration

These systems form part of a portfolio of high added value technical services designed to integrate and improve translation management.

Controlled English and other controlled languages

Omnia promotes the use of Controlled English (CE) as a means of enabling clients to certify their documentation to QC/QA, Six Sigma and ISO 9000 standards. CE improves the comprehensibility and legibility of documents, reduces ambiguity and improves conciseness. It also makes CAT tools more efficient by standardising content and maximising the reuse of previous translations, cutting costs in the process. Last but not least, Controlled English reduces the product responsibility risks caused by ambiguity and improves reader satisfaction by providing clearer explanations.

Omnia’s specialists can help plan the correct implementation of CE and other controlled languages.
Let’s see the practical benefits of CE and controlled languages in general.

Benefits

• Production of instructions in clear, concise, technical English.
• Fewer operating errors caused by unclear text.
• Simple, unambiguous English for technical training.
• Use of English for worldwide technical communications.
• Standard product terminology for technical documentation.
• Preparation of text suitable for translation with CAT tools.
• Reduction in the duration and cost of technical training.
• The Knowledge Management concept of “one word -one meaning”.
• Production of text that improves performance by improving communication.
• Control of text for QC/QA, Six Sigma and ISO 9000 certification.
• Improved user perception of flexibility and practicality and increased trust in the product thanks to simple instructions.

The Omnia solution

Omnia’s solution covers the technology, training and tools needed to develop a Controlled English programme tailor-made for your needs and based on three simple steps:

1 – Text Miner for dictionary development

CE requires a “basic” English dictionary of around 1,200 essential words. Omnia uses a sophisticated “text mining” tool to develop your technical dictionaries. This software analyses existing texts and creates a list of words based on frequency of use.

2 – Software Checker

This software ensures that publications conform to Controlled English by checking text against the rules of grammar and special dictionaries. The software contains 9,500 rules for style, syntax and conformity and generates 40 colour-coded messages to help authors edit content. The software can be integrated as a plug-in in MS Word, Arbortext, QuickSilver, FrameMaker and other editors.

Software Checker:

• Identifies grammatical errors and jargon.
• Navigates XML or SGML tags.
• Checks for translatability and legibility.
• Permits corrections to be made within the editing system.
• Flags the use of gerunds (-ing) and complex verb tenses.
• Flags use of the passive and suggests an active form instead.
• Flags ambiguous pronouns and vague expressions.
• Separates useful from necessary information.
• Generates an error report for authors.

3 – Training and e-learning 

Omnia can provide assistance and training for the entire suite of Controlled English tools and updates, through on-site training or e-learning.

ODMS Document Management

ODMS (Omnia Document Management System) is specially designed to manage documents in QuickSilver and FrameMaker format quickly and efficiently, avoiding unnecessary costs for content transfer.

ODSM functionalities:

• Role-based access.
• Effective version control.
• Simultaneous document sharing without loss of edits and with visibility over the status of documents others are working on.
• Acquisition, identification and quick saving of single or multiple objects for creating complex document structures that can be saved as single information blocks.
• File compression for reduced data storage volume.
• Creation of an infinite number of publications.
• Creation of corresponding language versions.
• Easy management of multilingual documents.
• Simple and intuitive interface for use by untrained personnel.

ODMS saves information blocks of all sizes to enrich your documents and share between products.
Each object or information block is assigned a unique code that identifies it within the system and defines its type, version and revision, application and history. All objects can therefore be reused, alone or along with other objects, to create complex document structures. New documents are created directly in QuickSilver or FrameMaker to guarantee access to the main functions of both programs.

The system allows users to create an infinite number of publications and simplifies the creation and maintenance of corresponding target language versions.